Sparganium erectum

Branched bur-reed is a perennial species that flowers from June to August (1). The leaves arise from rhizomes and die back at the end of each year (4). Although insects do visit the flowers, they are only attracted to male flowers, and so pollination by insects is not important. Pollination is mainly by wind, although self-fertilisation may occur. The fruits can float for a number of months, which aids in their dispersal. They germinate under water, but seedling survival is poor. The plants can also spread (by vegetative reproduction) from the rhizomes (6).

Branched bur-reed is an aquatic emergent plant that grows rooted in the mud at the margins of waterbodies (4). The narrow, smooth and keeled leaves are erect and triangular in cross-section (2). The globular flowers are produced on a branching spike hence the name 'branched' bur-reed. Flowers at the tip of the spike are male whereas those further down are female (4). The female flowers take on a bur-like appearance before breaking up into distinct fruits (5). The fruits are small, dry and spongy and contain 1-2 seeds (4).

General: Bur-reed family (Sparaniaceae).

American bur-reed

Sparganium americanum (SPAM)

branched bur-reed

Sparganium androcladum (SPAN)

narrowleaf bur-reed

Sparganium angustifolium (SPAN2)

simplestem bur-reed

Sparganium erectum (SPER)

broadfruit bur-reed

Sparganium eurycarpum (SPEU)

floating bur-reed

Sparganium fluctuans (SPFL)

clustered bur-reed

Sparganium glomeratum (SPGL)

northern bur-reed

Sparganium hyperboreum (SPHY)

small bur-reed

Sparganium natans (SPNA)

These bur-reed species are native, herbaceous marsh or pond plants with rootstocks. The leaves are alternate, stiff and erect or limp and floating, linear, and internally septate (The Great Plains Flora Association 1986). The individual flowers are small and occur in separate male (staminate) or female (pistillate) globular clusters on the same plant. (Steyermark 1963).

Distribution: A genus of twenty or more Sparanium species is widely distributed in temperate and colder latitudes of the eastern and western hemispheres, and in eastern North America (Braun 1967). For current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Canada

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

This native bur-reed is widespread throughout Britain, reaching altitudes of 425 m (3). It is absent from Shetland (2). It is also found in most northern temperate areas of the world (2), but is absent from eastern North America (3).

This species grows best on wet ground in rich soil. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. Sparanium species is mostly found in muddy or shallow water of swamps and ponds. For current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site

Typically found growing in a narrow band at the margins of lakes, rivers, streams, ditches and canals. Occasionally, large clumps of branched bur-reed may occur in swampy habitats. Cattle graze on this species, and so it is unusual to find branched bur-reed on banks where livestock graze (3).

Propagation by Seed: Sparanium seeds should be sown as soon as they are ripe in the greenhouse. This species should be placed in pots standing in two to three centimeters of water. Place the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle

and gradually increase the depth of water with plant growth. Plant Sparanium sp to their permanent positions in the summer.

Large divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions. While allowing smaller potted divisions to grow in a cold frame until they are well established and ready for summer out-planting to their permanent location..

Foodplant / feeds on
Bagous lutosus feeds on Sparganium erectum
Other: sole host/prey

Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Donacia aquatica feeds on root of Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / open feeder
adult of Donacia bicolora grazes on leaf of Sparganium erectum
Remarks: season: 4-early 8(-11)

Plant / resting place / among
cocoon of Donacia cinerea may be found among roots of Sparganium erectum
Other: minor host/prey

Foodplant / feeds on
adult of Donacia marginata feeds on pollen? of Sparganium erectum
Remarks: season: (4-)6-8(-10)

Plant / associate
cocoon of Donacia semicuprea is associated with Sparganium erectum

Plant / resting place / among
cocoon of Donacia simplex may be found among root of Sparganium erectum

Plant / resting place / on
adult of Donacia sparganii may be found on leaf of Sparganium erectum

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / feeds on
Erirhinus aethiops feeds on stem of Sparganium erectum

Plant / resting place / among
subaquatic cocoon of Macroplea appendiculata may be found among roots of Sparganium erectum

Plant / resting place / among
cocoon of Plateumaris sericea may be found among root of Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / saprobe
often numerous, immersed, black pycnidium of Stagonospora coelomycetous anamorph of Stagonospora typhoidearum is saprobic on sometimes locally discoloured leaf of Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Telmatophilus brevicollis feeds on Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Telmatophilus caricis feeds on Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / feeds on
larva of Telmatophilus sparganii feeds on Sparganium erectum

Foodplant / internal feeder
larva of Thryogenes scirrhosus feeds within stem? of Sparganium erectum
Other: major host/prey

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 7
Specimens with Barcodes: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Common and widespread: not threatened (3).

Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

This species is not threatened.

Conservation action is not required for this common species.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under ”United States Government.” The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

Seeds of most aquatic plants should be sown as soon as they are ripe. The seeds lose viability quickly if it is allowed to dry out. If immediate sowing is inconvenient, store seeds in moist peat, or substitute in a plastic bag and keep frost-free (Heuser 1997).

Ethnobotanic..The Klamath Indians dug the tubers (possibly Sparganium angustifolium, S. erectum, and/or S. eurycarpum) produced in late autumn from the creeping rootstocks of some of the species of this genus, and use them as food (Steyermark 1963). An infusion of Sparanium erectum can be mixed with other plant leaves and used in the treatment of chills (Moerman 1998). A decoction of Sparganium stoloniferum root was used in the treatment of chest pains and abdominal pain (Yeung 1985).