Definition

Noun: * A perennial herbaceous plant of the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as cotton-grass. It is characterized by its distinctive, dense, white, cottony or down-like seed heads (glumes) that appear in summer. It typically grows in wet, acidic habitats such as bogs, marshes, and moorlands.

Usage

• The term Eriophorum angustifolium is used as the formal botanical (Latin) name for a specific species of plant. It is primarily used in scientific, botanical, and ecological contexts.
• In everyday language, the plant is almost always referred to by its common name, common cotton-grass or simply cotton-grass.

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The peatland survey recorded a high frequency of Eriophorum angustifolium in the sampling quadrats.
  • The study compared the methane emissions from areas dominated by Eriophorum angustifolium and Sphagnum moss.
• Descriptive Context:
  • In late summer, the bog was dotted with the white, fluffy seed heads of Eriophorum angustifolium.

Advanced Usage

• The genus name comes from Greek, meaning 'wool-bearing', which directly describes the cottony seed heads.
• The species name means 'narrow-leaved' in Latin, describing the plant's foliage.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Cotton-grass: The standard English common name.
• Cotton-grass: A general term for plants in the genus . When used alone, it often refers to in many regions.
• Bog Cotton: A colloquial name used in some areas, especially the British Isles.

Synonyms

• Common Cotton-grass
• Narrow-leaved Cotton-grass

Related Terms (Ecological/Botanical)

• Sedge: is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae).
• Peatland Plant: It is a characteristic species of peat-forming ecosystems like bogs and fens.
• Tussock: It often grows in dense tussocks or tufts.

Noun

1. having densely tufted white cottony or downlike glumes