Eriophorum virginicum aka Tawny Cotton Grass

Eriophorum virginicum is a perennial sedge in the Cyperaceae family. Its common names include Virginia, rusty, and tawny cottongrass. It comes from eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Its range also reaches the north-central United States and Newfoundland. It grows more often in cool northern states. In North Carolina, it is native but scarce. Wild plants grow in bogs, wet meadows, and other damp sites.

This sedge forms dense clumps and spreads through underground rhizomes. Its habit combines tight clumps with creeping growth. The supplied sources give no mature height or spread. Green leaves grow at alternate points along the stems. Each simple leaf has one narrow, grasslike blade. The leaves are few, smooth, and free of hairs. They reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] in length. Each leaf has a short sheath and a flat base. Other parts may have a round or triangular cross section. The blades measure about 0.013 feet [0.004 metres] across. The stems have no scent.

Flowers appear from June through September, giving a long summer display. Their soft, cottonlike masses may look coarse from a distance. These heads range from white to cream or light brown. The tawny shade explains two of the plant’s common names. The cottonlike masses span about 0.08–0.17 feet [0.025–0.05 metres]. Each flower has both male and female parts. Leaflike bracts sit beneath the lowest two to five flower spikes. These bracts vary in length and may point up or down. The longest reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. The source lists fruit in black, brown, copper, and white shades. Seeds measure no more than about 0.013 feet [0.004 metres] long.

Grow this sedge in full sun or partial shade. It suits moist soil and sites that become wet. The listed soils include loam and ground rich in organic matter. Its tolerance of wet soil suits pond edges and streamside planting. It also fits rain gardens and damp meadow schemes. These uses match the wet places it occupies in the wild. North Carolina State Extension lists it as a low-maintenance plant. Its stated hardiness range runs from USDA zone 3a to 8a. The supplied sources give no species-specific details on pests or diseases. They also provide no evidence about edible parts or toxicity.