''Eriophorum callitrix'', commonly known as Arctic cotton, Arctic cottongrass, ''suputi'', or ''pualunnguat'' in
Inuktitut, is a perennial
Arctic
The Arctic ( or ) is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), Danish Realm (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, N ...
plant in the sedge family,
Cyperaceae. It is one of the most widespread flowering plants in the northern hemisphere and
tundra
In physical geography, tundra () is a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons. The term ''tundra'' comes through Russian (') from the Kildin Sámi word (') meaning "uplands", "treeless mou ...
regions. Upon every stem grows a single round, white and wooly fruit. The seeds are covered in this cottony mass and usually disperse when the wind carries them away. ''Eriophorum callitrix'' has narrow, grass-like leaves. Its habitats include tundra and calcareous bogs.
This plant is food for migrating
snow geese
The snow goose (''Anser caerulescens'') is a species of goose native to North America. Both white and dark morphs exist, the latter often known as blue goose. Its name derives from the typically white plumage. The species was previously placed ...
,
caribou and their calves. The
Inuit
Inuit (; iu, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, , dual: Inuuk, ) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic and subarctic regions of Greenland, Labrador, Quebec, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories ...
used the seed heads as
wick
Wick most often refers to:
* Capillary action ("wicking")
** Candle wick, the cord used in a candle or oil lamp
** Solder wick, a copper-braided wire used to desolder electronic contacts
Wick or WICK may also refer to:
Places and placename ...
s in
seal oil lamps. Clumps were placed into babies' pants and then thrown away when soiled.
References
External links
Polarhusky.com
callitrix
Plants described in 1831
{{Cyperaceae-stub