Broad-leaved bog-cotton, Eriophorum latifolium, is a flowering plant in the sedge family Cyperaceae. Its common names, broad-leaved bog-cotton and broad-leaved cotton grass, refer to the soft, cottony tufts that form its seed heads in wet ground.
The species is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN, meaning it is not currently considered at risk of extinction. It is a plant of wet and boggy places, and it is worth reading about for its wide range across much of northern and central Eurasia and for the many birds that feed on it.
Distribution and Habitat
Eriophorum latifolium is native to Europe. Its range extends east through the Caucasus and Mongolia, and into Korea, although accounts differ on how far it reaches east of the Urals.
The native range covers a long list of European countries, from Ireland, Great Britain and Spain in the west through Scandinavia and central Europe to Greece, Türkiye and Ukraine. Within Russia it occurs across the northern, central and southern European parts of the country.
The plant is described as occurring in temperate climates. Its habitat is wet ground, and it grows in the same kinds of places that suit other bog plants.
Presence is most frequent from May through July, with the highest numbers in June.
Growth and Form
Eriophorum latifolium is a perennial, so it survives from year to year and regrows from its roots and base each season. Its growth form is that of a sedge, with grass-like leaves and stems rising from the ground.
Ecology and Relationships
Several bird groups feed on Eriophorum latifolium. Perching birds (Passeriformes) are among its most important consumers, and finches such as the common redpoll (Acanthis flammea) and the skylark (Alauda arvensis) stand out among them.
Gamebirds (Galliformes), including the grey-legged partridge (Alectoris graeca), are also main consumers. Plant-feeding true bugs (Hemiptera) are a major insect group that feeds on it.
Pigeons, ducks and geese, rails and cranes, and moths (Lepidoptera) feed on it less often.
Photos
Photographs from via iNaturalist, licensed under CC0 1.0., by Andreas Schneider via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Augustin Soulard via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Claude Kolwelter via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Katrin Simon via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Ljaž via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., and by Maryna Burlaka via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., credited on each photo.
Ecology and classification
Classification
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Poales
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Genus
- Eriophorum
- Species
- Eriophorum latifolium
Sources
- GBIF Species names and classification
- iNaturalist Photos
- Wikidata Common names and conservation status
- Wikipedia Summary extract
- Plants of the World Online Native range, life form and climate (WCVP)
- GloBI What it eats, what eats it, parasites and pollinators
- trophiCH
