# Reeds that look like marshmallows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371 "2020-05-24T03:22:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/1 "2020-05-24T03:22:08Z")
Are there reeds or reedlike wetland/marsh/swamp plants that look like marshmallows? It’s difficult to search, because apparently marshmallows are a real plant, but they are just white flowers that don’t look like the confection. The closest thing I can find so far is cattails, but they are more like corn dogs on a stick than marshmallow on a stick. I’ll also settle for any kind of online visual field guide. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/2 "2020-05-24T03:46:25Z")
Is there a specific reason that you think there would be? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/3 "2020-05-24T03:52:26Z")
I believe it’s not the fruit of the marshmallow, but the pith inside the reeds which is sweet and edible and in turn gave its name to the confection. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/4 "2020-05-24T04:04:06Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I believe it’s not the fruit of the marshmallow, but the pith inside the reeds which is sweet and edible and in turn gave its name to the confection. Nope. [The sap](https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-marshmallows-1991773). (Not to be confused with the saps, who believe [this](https://www.wcnc.com/mobile/article/entertainment/20-years-later-and-people-still-think-marshmallows-grow-on-trees/275-218726d6-0f2b-4ab7-973f-8b5c7c7c7d04).) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/5 "2020-05-24T16:35:21Z")
I’m wondering if you’re seeing [cottongrass/cottonsedge,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_angustifolium) which has [white fluffy seedheads.](https://www.ardeaprints.com/p/172/broad-leaved-cotton-grass-seed-heads-18905370.jpg) It would be helpful if the OP would provide more detail on what he is seeing. The description is very vague. What do the “marshmallows” look like exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/6 "2020-05-24T16:58:49Z")
There are cattails with shorter seed pods. Something like [this](https://www.flickr.com/photos/12639178@N07/15000991016/), perhaps? Edit: Here’s a picture with more variation: [Dwarf Cattail reeds in pond, Typha Minima | IBuyPhotos](https://www.ibuyphotos.com/nature/photo-reed-001/) ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/7 "2020-05-24T21:04:21Z")
Small reedmace look a bit like marshmallows that have been badly toasted. [https://www.lincspplants.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/y/typha\_minima\_1.jpg](https://www.lincspplants.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/y/typha_minima_1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/8 "2020-05-24T21:54:38Z")
Bog Cotton > **[Eriophorum angustifolium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_angustifolium)** > > Eriophorum angustifolium, commonly known as common cottongrass or common cottonsedge, is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. Native to North America, North Asia, and Northern Europe, it grows on peat or acidic soils, in open wetland, heath or moorland. It begins to flower in April or May and, after fertilisation in early summer, the small, unremarkable brown and green flowers develop distinctive white bristle-like seed-heads that resemble tufts of cotton; combined wi... In particular, when it looks like this: [Eriophorum angustifolium - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_angustifolium#/media/File:Pilane_%C3%A4ngsull.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/9 "2020-05-24T22:02:45Z")
> [@eburacum45](#): > > Small reedmace look a bit like marshmallows that have been badly toasted. > [https://www.lincspplants.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/y/typha\_minima\_1.jpg](https://www.lincspplants.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/y/typha_minima_1.jpg) But that’s exactly how I like my marshmallows. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reeds-that-look-like-marshmallows/854371/10 "2020-05-24T23:31:22Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Bog Cotton > [Eriophorum angustifolium - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_angustifolium) > > In particular, when it looks like this: [Eriophorum angustifolium - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriophorum_angustifolium#/media/File:Pilane_%C3%A4ngsull.JPG) Same plant as in post #5. It has a lot of common names.