Description

Sparganium americanum, American Bur-reed, Native Grasses, Perennial Grass Plugs, Wetland Plant, VA Ecotype

An erect, grass-like, aquatic plant with zig-zag stalks bearing ball-like heads of tiny green flowers.

The Bur-reeds represent an important group of emergent plants that are partly in and partly out of the water; they frequently form dense stands along the edges of shallow lakes and ponds. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl and marsh birds, and muskrats feed on the entireplant. The Great Bur-reed (S. eurycarpum), which reaches a height of 7 feet (2.1 m), has two stigmas, not one as in the rest of the group; it is widely distributed. Floating Bur-reed (S. fluctuans) has a floating stem and floating ribbon-like leaves; it is found in cold ponds and lakes across Canada and New England west to Minnesota.

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Native Distribution: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Shallow water, muddy shores.

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand

Use Wildlife: Birds, Other Showy Insects
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Sparganium americanum, American bur-reed, is a perennial plant found in the United States of America and Canada. Though this species resembles a grass, it is a type of bur-reed. This species is important for conservation purposes because it has the ability to remove nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from water, like many other wetland species. By doing this it protects waterways from excess nitrogen which can cause eutrophication. This increased nitrogen is especially a problem during the farmers’ growing season. During this same time frame the S. americanum is growing and taking up nitrogen.

Sparganium americanum, American Bur-reed, Native Grasses, Perennial Grass Plugs, Wetland Plant, VA Ecotype

See all available native Grasses.