Sparganium americanum
American bur reed
 
Sparganium americanum, American bur-reed, is a graceful emergent plant of shallow water and quiet wetland margins. Slender, arching leaves rise from the base while upright stems carry distinctive spherical flower clusters—small male flowers above and spiny green “burs” below that later develop into seed heads.
 
Plants typically reach 1–3 feet tall and grow best in full sun to part sun in shallow water or saturated soils, often in marshes, pond edges, slow streams, and wet ditches. In New England wetlands it commonly grows with species such as Sagittaria latifolia, Pontederia cordata, Carex lurida, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, and Chelone glabra, contributing structure to the shallow-water plant community.
 
American bur-reed provides meaningful habitat and food in aquatic systems. The seeds are consumed by waterfowl including dabbling ducks and Canada goose) while dense stands offer cover for amphibians, aquatic insects, and small fish along wetland edges. The flowers are wind-pollinated but still attract occasional small insects moving through the vegetation. For wetland restoration and naturalistic pond plantings, Sparganium americanum is a reliable native that quietly does important ecological work along the water’s edge.
 
Plants can be purchased in-person or online (with in-person pick-up).
All online orders will be ready for pick-up 24-72 hours after purchase. You will receive an email to let you know when your order is ready. We kindly ask that you pick-up any orders within one week of purchase. 
 
photo by jillllybean