Flattened Pipewort Eriocaulon compressum
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-ee-oh-KAW-lon kom-PRESS-um
- Description
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This is a tall wildflower with a single rounded button like flower head at the top of its stalk which is leafless. It grows in NC and all Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, and Mid-South states and is found along roadsides, in pinelands and near ponds. The flower stalk, ranging from 1 to 3 feet tall, rises from a cluster of usually submerged, sheathed, linear, basal leaves. It grows in damp soil or shallow water. The dried heads remain white and can be used in flower arrangements. It needs a wet or damp area in which to thrive and does well along pond margins or indoors as a terrarium plant.
The origin of the names comes from the Greek word "erio" meaning "wool" and "caul(o)" meaning "a stem" which references the woolly hairs found at the base of the flowering scape. The species compressum means "flattened sideways" and is likely in references to the flower heads which can be flattened when pressed.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eriocaulon
- Species:
- compressum
- Family:
- Eriocaulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- New Jersey to Texas
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- The compact cottony white head is composed of many small flowers on top of a slender stem; dried heads with stems can be used in flower arrangements. It blooms from late winter to spring.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The grass like leaves are linear with parallel veins 2"-12" long with a pointed apex. The leaves are arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant and are sharply pointed and grasslike.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Woolly hairs at the base of the flowering scape.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
