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Montana Field Guides

Russet Cotton-grass - Eriophorum chamissonis

Native Species

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S4
(see State Rank Reason below)
C-value: 9


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:


 





State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report. Eriophorum chamissonis is an uncommon species of fens across western and central Montana. Occurrences are almost entirely on publicly managed lands, including many on National Forest lands managed for multiple use. Several dozen occurrences are protected within Glacier National Park or within designated wilderness areas. Population levels appear to be relatively robust based on the available though limited data. Trends are unknown though populations have likely been relatively stable in the recent past or experienced only minor declines. Climate change may negatively affect this species over the next several decades. However, the timing and magnitude of potential impacts are largely unknown. Although climate change is listed as a potential threat to the species, it does not affect the overall threat rank or scoring, or the final subnational rank. Survey and monitoring data are needed to be able to more precisely determine population levels, assess condition and for assessing population trends.
Russet Cotton-grass (Eriophorum chamissonis) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S4
Review Date = 07/08/2026
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
 
General Description
Rhizomatous. Stems 15–60 cm. Leaves: upper leaf blades rudimentary; lower blades V-shaped or trinagular in cross-section, 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary, erect spikelet; bracts absent. Spikelets 15–35 mm long in fruit; lowest scale lanceolate, shorter than the spikelet. Fertile scales brown to black with pale margins, 4–7 mm long. Bristles becoming tawny-brown. Achene 2–3 mm long, apiculate (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native
 


Range Comments
Circumboreal south to OR, UT, CO and MN (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 182

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Organic soil of fens, wet meadows; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).


References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
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Citation for data on this website:
Russet Cotton-grass — Eriophorum chamissonis.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from