Eriophorum callitrix

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Species of flowering plant in the sedge family Cyperaceae

title: "Eriophorum callitrix" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["eriophorum", "plants-described-in-1831", "taxa-named-by-adelbert-von-chamisso"] description: "Species of flowering plant in the sedge family Cyperaceae" topic_path: "general/eriophorum" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_callitrix" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Species of flowering plant in the sedge family Cyperaceae ::

|name=Arctic cottongrass |image=Arctic cottongrass, Inuvik, NT.jpg |image_caption=Arctic cottongrass growing near Inuvik, Canada |status = |status_system = TNC |status_ref = |genus=Eriophorum |species=callitrix |authority=Cham. ex C.A.Mey.

Eriophorum callitrix, commonly known as Arctic cotton, Arctic cottongrass, suputi, or pualunnguat in Inuktitut, is a perennial Arctic plant in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is one of the most widespread flowering plants in the northern hemisphere and tundra regions. Upon every stem grows a single round, white and wooly fruit. The seeds are covered in this cottony mass and usually disperse when the wind carries them away.

Description

Eriophorum callitrix has narrow, grass-like leaves.

Taxonomy

Eriophorum callitrix was described and illustrated by the Russian botanist Carl Anton von Meyer in 1831. In his description, Meyer attributed the name itself to the German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso. The illustration shows a plant with a single spikelet (unispicate) and numerous basal leaves. , Eriophorum callitrix Cham. ex C.A.Mey. is a widely accepted name.

Distribution and habitat

Eriophorum callitrix has a northern circumpolar distribution with a gap in northern Europe. Its preferred habitats include wet meadows, tundra, and calcareous bogs.

Ecology

Eriophorum callitrix is food for migrating snow geese, caribou and their calves.

Uses

The Inuit used the seed heads as wicks in seal oil lamps. Clumps were placed into babies' pants and then thrown away when soiled.

References

Bibliography

References

  1. (2007). "''Eriophorum callitrix'' {{small". NRC Research Press, National Research Council of Canada.
  2. {{IPNI. Cham. ex C.A.Mey.
  3. "''Eriophorum callitrix''". University of Texas at Austin.
  4. (5 September 2025). "''Eriophorum callitrix''".
  5. "''Eriophorum callitrix'' {{small".
  6. {{PLANTS
  7. "''Eriophorum callitrix'' {{small".

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eriophorumplants-described-in-1831taxa-named-by-adelbert-von-chamisso