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| ## small bur-reed {#small-bur-reed .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Sparganium natans* L.                                                |
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| Plant Symbol = SPNA                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### 

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*..The Klamath Indians dug the tubers (possibly *Sparganium
angustifolium,* *S*. erectum, and/or *S*. *eurycarpum*) produced in late
autumn from the creeping rootstocks of some of the species of this
genus, and use them as food (Steyermark 1963). An infusion of *Sparanium
erectum* can be mixed with other plant leaves and used in the treatment
of chills (Moerman 1998). A decoction of *Sparganium stoloniferum* root
was used in the treatment of chest pains and abdominal pain (Yeung
1985).

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

# Description

*General*: Bur-reed family (Sparaniaceae).

American bur-reed

*Sparganium americanum* (SPAM)

branched bur-reed

*Sparganium androcladum*
(SPAN)![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.801388888888889in"
height="4.197916666666667in"}

narrowleaf bur-reed

*Sparganium angustifolium* (SPAN2)

simplestem bur-reed

*Sparganium erectum* (SPER)

broadfruit bur-reed

*Sparganium eurycarpum* (SPEU)

floating bur-reed

*Sparganium fluctuans* (SPFL)

clustered bur-reed

*Sparganium glomeratum* (SPGL)

northern bur-reed

*Sparganium hyperboreum* (SPHY)

small bur-reed

*Sparganium natans* (SPNA)

These bur-reed species are native, herbaceous marsh or pond plants with
rootstocks. The leaves are alternate, stiff and erect or limp and
floating, linear, and internally septate (The Great Plains Flora
Association 1986). The individual flowers are small and occur in
separate male (staminate) or female (pistillate) globular clusters on
the same plant. (Steyermark 1963).

*Distribution*: A genus of twenty or more *Sparanium* species is widely
distributed in temperate and colder latitudes of the eastern and western
hemispheres, and in eastern North America (Braun 1967). For current
distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on
the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation

This species grows best on wet ground in rich soil. It prefers full sun
but can tolerate some shade. *Sparanium* species is mostly found in
muddy or shallow water of swamps and ponds. For current distribution,
please consult the Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web
site

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: *Sparanium* seeds should be sown as soon as they
are ripe in the greenhouse. This species should be placed in pots
standing in two to three centimeters of water. Place the seedlings into
individual pots when they are large enough to handle

and gradually increase the depth of water with plant growth. Plant
*Sparanium* sp to their permanent positions in the summer.

Large divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions.
While allowing smaller potted divisions to grow in a cold frame until
they are well established and ready for summer out-planting to their
permanent location..

# Management

Seeds of most aquatic plants should be sown as soon as they are ripe.
The seeds lose viability quickly if it is allowed to dry out. If
immediate sowing is inconvenient, store seeds in moist peat, or
substitute in a plastic bag and keep frost-free (Heuser 1997).

### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

# References

Braun, L.E. 1967. *The monocotyledoneae from cat-tails to orchids*. The
Ohio State University Press, Columbus, Ohio.

Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist 1993. *Manual of vascular plants of
northeastern United States and adjacent Canada*. 2^nd^ ed. The New York
Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

Heuser, C. W. 1997. *The complete book of plant propagation*. The
Taunton Press, Newtown, Connecticut.

Peck, M.E. 1961. *A manual of the higher plants of Oregon*. 2^nd^ ed.
Oregon State University Press, Portland, Oregon.

Small, J.K. 1933. *Manual of the southeastern flora*. The University of
North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Steyermark, J. A. 1963. *Flora of Missouri*. The Iowa State University
Press, Ames, Iowa.

Strausbaugh, P. D. & E. L. Core 1977. *Flora of West Virginia*. 2^nd^
ed. Seneca Books, Inc., Morgantown, West Virginia.

The Great Plains Flora Association 1986. *Flora of the Great Plains*.
University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

Yeung, H.C. 1985. *Handbook of Chinese herbs and formulas*. Institute of
Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, California.

# Prepared By

#### *Jammie Favorite*

formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 03jun03 ahv; 060817 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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