SafePlants

Clustered Bur-Reed (Sparganium glomeratum)

Sparganium glomeratum, commonly known as Clustered Bur-Reed, is an aquatic perennial herb belonging to the genus Sparganium. It is also referred to as globe bur-reed.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces hard, dry achenes that cluster in spiny brown balls.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Sparganium glomeratum (Laestad.) L. Neum.
• Family: Formerly Bur-reed Family (Sparganiaceae), now Typhaceae.
• Synonyms: Sparganium erectum L. var. glomeratum Beurling ex Laest.
• Plant Symbol: SPGL

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to high elevation lakes and marshes of Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Found in the northern shallow ecological areas.
• Specifically mentioned in NW Wisconsin and NE part of a state (unspecified).
• The most common bur-reed throughout the southern two-thirds of an unspecified state.

Morphological Characteristics

• Growth Habit: Perennial forb/herb.
• Duration: Perennial.
• Moderately tall aquatic wildflower.
• Weakly rooted, with clustered fibrous roots.
• The seed-like fruit grows within bur-like heads of the female flower cluster. The fruits are bent.
• Leaves are narrow and nearly flat. Leaves near the flower cluster are reduced to 2 mm bracts.
• Female flowers are less than a half inch across. After pollination, the male flowers fall off and the female flowers become a bur-like cluster.
• Upper staminate (male) flower heads are greenish brown, while the lower pistillate (female) ones are a dense cluster of small white flowers.
• Height to 1.2m. Leaves to 80cm.
• Female flowers are in globose flowerheads (capitula) on short stems.

Ecological Role

• Clustered bur-reed is a rare species of northern shallow areas.

Further Information

• USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SPGL
• Discover Life: Page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Sparganium glomeratum.