| Botanical Name |
Sparganium eurycarpum |
| Common Name |
Bur-reed, Broadfruit bur-reed |
| Family |
Sparganiaceae – Bur-reed |
| Description |
This perennial, robust monocot is a native of North America. It grows in wet soil or in shallow water, commonly with cattails, to which they are closely related. The 2 are frequently the dominant plants in the marshy borders of ponds. The leaves of this plant are about 2’ in length and slender. It stands erect above the water. |
| Mature Size |
3’ |
| Bloom |
Summer. The flowers are male and female. The pistillate flower heads (female) develop into big prickly balls. They resemble starbursts in appearance. The staminate flowers are crowded into small white heads and are out in the terminal parts of the branches. |
| Interesting Facts |
Sparganium eurycarpum is very similar to Sparganium emersum. S. eurycarpum has a branched flower stalk and S. emersum has an unbranched flower stalk. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses |
The seeds are eaten by water fowl and muskrats. Muskrats also eat the leaves. |
