| Sparganium | |
|---|---|
| Simplestem Bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Typhaceae |
| Genus: | Sparganium L. |
| Species | |
|
About 20 species; see text |
|
Sparganium (Bur-reed) is a genus of flowering plants, containing about 20 species in temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It was previously placed alone in the family Sparganiaceae. The plants are perennial marsh plants that can grow to anything between 0.2-3.5 m (depending on the species), with epicene flowers.
The Sparganiaceae are closely related to the Typhaceae and the APG III system (2009) includes Sparganium in that family.
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Sparganium, commonly known as the bur-reed, is a genus of aquatic plants of shallow marshes, ponds and streams. There are 9 species found in the United States and Canada [1]. It is characterized by a stem, which may be floating or emergent, bearing strap-like leaves, and spherical heads bearing either male or female flowers. [2]
Sparganium is an important component of aquatic and wetland vegetation in temperate to arctic regions. It provides food and cover for wildlife and waterfowl. It has been determined from phylogenetic analysis to be the closest living relative of the genus Typha (cat-tail).
The genus name Sparganium was published by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (1753), with two species recognized: S. erectum, and S. natans.
Perhaps the first mention of Sparganium in the English language was made by William Turner (1562)[3]. Turner noted that there was no name for the plants in English, and suggested bede sedge or knop sedge. Further, he noted, "the virtues of Sparganium: The roote is good to be geven wyth wyne agaynste the poyson of serpentes."
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