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Alaska Cotton (Eriophorum Scheuchzeri) When you hear the word cotton you think of simple
cotton. Forget all about that because I'm talking about Alaskan cotton. There
are fourteen different kinds that grow in
Created by Jeremy Copyright 1999 Photo by Verna Pratt, used with permission, edited by Jeremy |
roadside
ditches and in moist areas, here and there all over Alaska. The seed pod opens up in June
and July. The cotton grows twelve to fifteen inches tall. This plant is stiff
and has linear leaves that look like blades of grass. The seed pods are soft, white,
hairy heads at the top of the stalk. The lower stems and roots are edible and mice
collect them. Eskimos unearth mouse caches and help themselves to these wonderful
tasting "Mouse Nuts".