- Sparganium erectum L. - Branched Bur-reed - Sparganiaceae
© Ian Dodkins
© David Mitchel
© Paul Hackney
(Map updated: March 2008)
A very common plant of wet ditches, canals, fens, lake-sides, river-sides, ponds and similar wet habitats. Easily recognised, with its tall shoots reaching four feet or so, long, narrow keeled leaves, and a stem which carries a branched inflorescence of globular heads of male and female flowers. The female flowers develop into a bur-like structure which eventually breaks up into its separate fruits for dispersal.
All names: Sparganium erectum L.; Sparganium ramosum Huds.