Bog Cotton
Eriophorum vaginatum
Eriophorum angustifolium
Ceannbhán
Bog cotton is found on blanket and raised bogs in Ireland. It comes in two forms single headed and many headed bog cotton. The two plants are very similar, with white fluffy cotton seed heads and grassy leaves which are seen from June each year. The white cotton flowers with seeds attached are easily dispersed by the wind. Many headed bog cotton grows in bog pools. The plant has air canals in its roots which allow air to pass from the parts of the plant sticking out of the water to the roots which can be buried up to 60cm into the wet peat. The plant is adapted to living in the bog pools by “snorkling”. The leaves of Many-headed bog cotton are wider from 2 to 5 cm, and have rusty red tips. Single headed bog cotton grows on the drier surface of the bog and does not have these air canals. Instead many plants of Single headed bog cotton grow tightly packed together to form a clump or tussock on the bog surface. In this way the plants create a drier environment for themselves. But the disadvantage of this growth form is that the plants have to ensure that they do not die from summer drought on the bog. The leaves are specially adapted to conserve water. They are long and rolled into needles. (Text courtesy of Irish Peatland Conservation Council “Bog Plant Book.”)

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Hare’s Tail Bog Cotton. Image: ©Tina Claffey

Early Summer. Image: ©Charleen Hurtubise

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In winter the leaves of single and many-headed bog cotton die back from their tips. All of the food in the plants is recycled and stored over the winter in underground bulbs ready for the spring growth. This is a special adaptation to the nutrient poor bog environment. (Text courtesy of Irish Peatland Conservation Council “Bog Plant Book.”)

Late Summer. Image: ©Charleen Hurtubise

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