Common Cottongrass is a distinctive bog and tundra sedge that produces showy white, cotton-ball-like tufts of cottony white bristles in spring and early summer — one of the most characteristic sights of northern bogs and Arctic tundra. Found across the boreal zone and Arctic from Alaska to Greenland and south in the Appalachians, it grows in dense stands in waterlogged, acidic peat. The cottony tufts were used by Indigenous peoples for stuffing and wicks for oil lamps. It is not a grass despite the common name.
Best time to see a Common Cottongrass
The best time to see a Common Cottongrass is June–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,100 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Common Cottongrass? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Cottongrass sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Common Cottongrass? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Common Cottongrass is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love plants? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.