Cotton Grass (Eriophorum gracile)

Family: Cyperaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Eriophorum gracile is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young stem bases - raw or cooked. Root - raw or cooked. The blackish covering should be removed. — Young stem bases - raw or cooked.; Root - raw or cooked.; The blackish covering should be removed.

Habitat & North American Range

Rare and local in wet acid bogs. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)