Arctic cottongrass

Eriophorum callitrix

''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.
Arctic cotton - Eriophorum callitrix Hermaness, Shetlans, Scotland. Arctic cottongrass,Eriophorum callitrix,Geotagged,Spring,United Kingdom

Appearance

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. It has narrow, grass-like leaves.

This plant is food for migrating snow geese and 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:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassMonocots
OrderPoales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusEriophorum
SpeciesE. callitrix
Photographed in
United Kingdom