Tawny Cotton Grass (Eriophorum virginicum)
Looking like less-colorful miniature versions of Dr. Seuss’ truffula trees, tawny cotton grass (Eriophorum virginicum) is an obligate wetland plant found in bogs, fens and wet meadows throughout New England. The fluffy “cotton” puff-ball tops of this plant are actually the modified sepals and petals of minute flowers. The tawny-colored silky hairs that give cotton grass its distinctive look continue to elongate as the seeds mature, aiding in wind dispersal of the seeds (similar to the parachute-like seeds of a…
