American Bur-Reed

(Sparganium americanum)

American Bur-Reed (Sparganium americanum)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Sparganium americanum, commonly known as American Bur-Reed, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb that is native to wetland habitats such as marshes, bogs, and along the edges of ponds and streams in the Eastern USA and Ontario. It is often mistaken for a grass due to its long, narrow leaves, but it is a monocotyledonous plant. American Bur-Reed typically grows between two and four feet tall and produces inconspicuous greenish-white flowers during the summer months. The leaves are green, triangular in cross-section, and can produce floating leaves when in deeper water. The plant spreads rapidly through its rhizomes, which are underground stems that send out roots and shoots from their nodes.

American Bur-Reed is valued for its ability to stabilize soil in wet, muddy areas, making it a practical choice for erosion control in riparian restoration projects. It thrives in full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of water conditions, from saturated soils to shallow water up to 12 inches deep. While it is not particularly ornamental, its ecological benefits make it a useful plant in water gardens and naturalized wetland areas. Gardeners should be aware that its aggressive rhizomes can lead to it dominating space if not managed properly.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 0.067-0.1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Green
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wetland habitats such as marshes, bogs, and along the edges of ponds and streams in the Eastern USA and Ontario

Other Names

Common Names: American Burreed, Nuttall’s Burrweed, Three-Square Burreed, Rubanier D’Amérique

Scientific Names: , Sparganium americanum, Sparganium americanum var. rigidum, Sparganium americanum var. nuttallii, Sparganium americanum var. typicum, Sparganium ligulare, Sparganium simplex var. americanum, Sparganium simplex var. nuttallii,

GBIF Accepted Name: Sparganium americanum Nutt.