Eriophorum callitrix

Arctic cottongrass
	Arctic cottongrass growing near Inuvik, Canada
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Eriophorum
Species:	E. callitrix
Binomial name
	Eriophorum callitrix; 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. Eriophorum callitrix has narrow, grass-like leaves. Its habitats include tundra and calcareous bogs.^[2]

This plant is food for migrating snow geese, caribou and their calves. 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

^ Species description was originally published in Mem. Sav. Etr. Petersb. i. (1831) 203. t. 2. "Plant Name Details for Eriophorum callitrix". IPNI. Retrieved July 14, 2010. Notes: Ins. S. Laurent
^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2022-03-04.

Bibliography

Fernald, M. L. (December 1925). "The Identity of Eriophorum callitrix". Rhodora. 27 (324): 203–210. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

External links

Polarhusky.com^{[permanent dead link‍]}

This Cyperaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[ipni-1] Species description was originally published in Mem. Sav. Etr. Petersb. i. (1831) 203. t. 2. "Plant Name Details for Eriophorum callitrix". IPNI. Retrieved July 14, 2010. Notes: Ins. S. Laurent

[2] "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2022-03-04.

[1]

[2]