Cottongrass

Cottongrass is a flowering plant that can typically be found on the shore of marshes. It usually flowers in white, but the color can change depending on the color of the water within the marshland.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Cottongrass is a plant that has long, narrow leaves around a stiff tubular stem with a fluffy spherical flower on its end. The flower has cotton-like fibers as petals.

Genetics and Reproduction

The plants' seeds are attached to the bottom end of the flower petals. At the end of the flowering or blooming season, the seeds will loosen so that the wind can effortlessly distribute them through the air.

Growth Rate & Stages

Cottongrass goes through multiple stages within the year - resting, growing, blooming, withering, and once again resting or if it is an old plant passing away. It has accelerated growth within the growing season while the growth stagnates within the resting season.

Resting

The resting stage settles in the colder months of the year. It is a timeframe in which the plant cuts down its energy needs to survive the colder months and to start with a fresh energy supply into the growing season.

Growing

As the title already implies, the plant collects fresh energy within the growing season and can reach a height of up to 40 cm. Towards the end of this season, cottongrass forms flower buds.

Blooming

The previously formed flower buds crack open, revealing the fluffy spherical flower. It will continue to bloom and develop new flowers until the blooming season move on to the withering season.

Withering

Within the withering season, the seeds will loosen and distribute themselves with the help of the wind through the area. The plant will drop the leaves, and the flower stems will turn brownish. The plant slowly cuts down its energy needs while concentrating the remaining energy within the roots.

Passing Away

Cottongrass has an average lifespan of five years. Plants between four and five years old will pass away after the end of the withering season.
Plant parts that were dropped and the remainder of dead ones will eventually decay within the marsh water.

Ecology and Habitats

Cottongrass needs wet, muddy soil under the open sky to grow. The plant is commonly located on the shore and within flat water areas of marshes. The roots strengthen the ground and prevent the sandbank from being eaten by the water.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The flower buds can be harvested and used as filling material for bedding or to craft yarn, which can be used to manufacture fabric.

Lifespan

5 years

Average Height

10-40 cm

Geographic Distribution

• Tinted Marsh