Seasonal Wild Flowers

Branched Bur-reed

Sparganium erectum

Bur-reed

Sparganiaceae

June to August

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Branched Bur-reed

It grows at the edge of fresh water: - canals, streams,

rivers, ponds and ditches.

Branched Bur-reed is a native, rhizomatous, perennial,

aquatic herb, growing up to 1.5m.

Female flowers are in globose flowerheads (capitula)

on short branches below the male flowerheads (also

capitula).

Female capitula are green and covered by creamy

white stigmas during flowering.

Male capitula are covered in short-lived white stamens.

Fruiting bodies are green.

Leaves are Iris-like.

Branched Bur-reed by the

Lancaster canal

Female flowers below the spike of male flowers

Close-up of female flowers - stigmas

Male flowers - short-lived stamens

Fruiting body

Leaves, male flowers and fruiting bodies