Eriophorum vaginatum Hare's-tail Cottongrass

A perennial sedge with short rhizomes that give rise to densely-tufted or tussocky clumps. The leaves, which are narrow (0.5-1mm wide) are triangular in section nd the stems have just one terninal, erect spikelet, which distinguishes it from all the other cottongrasses in the British flora. It grows in bogs and on acidic soils on wet heathland and moorland, often with Heather (Calluna vulgaris) on heathland that is burned. It is largely an upland species of the west and north of Britain and it is common in Wales. In West Glamorgan it is frequent and widespread in the upland areas of the South Wales Coalfield, but it is less commmon than Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) on the Gower Commons.

Native