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Sparganium americanum Nutt.

Bur reed

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassCommelinidaeDayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
OrderTyphalesA group including reedlike wetland plants such as cattails
FamilyTyphaceaePlants, such as cattails, with a single flower spike that has both male and female flowers
GenusSparganiumFrom Greek and Latin sparganion, derived from sparganon, “diaper, ribbon, swadding band, for the ribbon-like leaves
Speciesamericanum“From America”

About plant names...

Bur-reeds, a type of sedge, are a native American plant.

Identification: Bur-reeds are always found growing in shallow water that is present all year. These sedges are up to 1-3½′ (30-106 cm) tall, with crooked stems and grasslike leaves. As with all sedges, stems are triangular in cross-section—this is easy to feel with your fingers. Leaves are long, narrow, and strap-like, similar to those of cattails. Bur-like spherical spiky green to white flowers, several to a stem, make these unmistakable. Each flower is ball-shaped, ¾-1″ (1.9-2.5 cm) around, and green to white in color.

Edibility: Cooked roots and stem bases are edible.

Online References:

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The USDA Plants Database

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

EFloras

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

7/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

9/11/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

7/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

9/1/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

 

Sparganium americanum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

8/27/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 1 × 2′ (41 × 62 cm) ID is uncertain

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

7/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

9/1/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) ID is uncertain

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

7/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Sparganium americanum (bur reed)

9/1/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...