Branched Bur-reed
Scientific Name: Sparganium erectum L.
Family: Sparganiaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Habit and Size: Perennial herbaceous plant, 40 to 150 cm tall.
Stem: Erect, robust, cylindrical stem, enveloped by leaf sheaths.
Leaves: Linear, ribbon-like leaves about 1 cm wide and up to 1 m long, sheathing the stem; distichous, trigonous, compressible.
Flowers: The inflorescence is a zigzagging spike at the axil of a bract, bearing spherical female heads (4-12 mm) below and spherical male heads (12-20 mm) above. Female flowers are reduced to an ovary with 3 bracts, and male flowers have 3 white stamens and 3 bracts. Blooms from May to August.
Fruits and Seeds: Infructescence consists of drupelets resembling achenes, with adaptations for floating.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Found throughout Italy from 0 to 500 m in lakes, rivers, and watercourses.
Photo: under free license from Saxifraga and Ed Stikvoort, Rutger Barendse
