Small bur-reed (Sparganium natans, Sp. Pl.: 971 (1753))

Family: Typhaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 971 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sparganium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Small bur-reed, scientifically known as Sparganium natans, is a distinctive aquatic plant belonging to the Typhaceae family. First described by the seminal botanist Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 publication “Species Plantarum,” this perennial plant thrives in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere.

Typically found in shallow, slow-moving waters such as ponds, marshes, and the edges of lakes, small bur-reed plays a crucial ecological role. It provides habitat and food for a variety of aquatic organisms, including insects, amphibians, and fish. The plant can be recognized by its long, slender, grass-like leaves that float on or emerge just above the water surface, creating a subtle yet intricate tapestry of greenery.

Sparganium natans is known for its distinctive reproductive structures. The plant produces small, spherical fruits that resemble tiny bur-covered balls, which give rise to its common name, “bur-reed.” These fruits are buoyant and can float, assisting in the plant’s dispersal across aquatic environments.

In terms of cultivation and conservation, small bur-reed is valued not only for its ecological benefits but also for its aesthetic appeal in naturalistic water gardens and restoration projects. Its ability to stabilize sediment and improve water quality makes it a significant species for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems.

In conclusion, Sparganium natans stands out as a notable species thriving across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its historical botanical documentation, essential ecological functions, and unique morphological features make it a noteworthy and valuable component of diverse aquatic habitats.

Common Names

Eng: least bur-reed, small bur-reed, small burreed, arctic burreed, least burreed, slender burreed
Dan: spæd pindsvineknop
Deu: zwerg-igelkolben, zwergigelskopf
Swe: dvärgigelknopp, pikkupalpakko
Nor: flaatgræs
Nld: kleinste egelskop
Fin: pikkupalpakko
Fra: rubanier nain, hérisson d’eau, rubanier flottant, rubanier nain massette, rubanier nageant
Nob: småpiggknopp
Nno: småpiggknopp
Sme: deaggahávgarássi
Cym: cleddlys bach, cleddyflys lleiaf, cleddyflys undwf nofiadwy
Ita: coltellaccio minore
En: Small bur-reed, Arctic Burr-Reed, Small bur reed, Least Bur-reed, Small burreed, Arctic burreed, Least burreed, Slender burreed
Be: Плюшчай маленькі
Zh: 矮黑三棱
Hr: Plivajući ježinac
Cs: Zevar nejmenší
Da: Spæd pindsvineknop
Nl: Kleinste egelskop
Et: Väike jõgitakjas
Fi: Pikkupalpakko
Fr: Hérisson d’eau, Rubanier Flottant, Rubanier Nain, Rubanier nain massette, Rubanier nageant, Petit rubanier, Rubanier minuscule
De: Zwerg-Igelkolben, Zwergigelskopf, Kleiner Igelkolben
Hu: Lápi békabuzogány
Ga: Rísheisc mhion
It: Coltellaccio minore
Se: Deaggahávgarássi
No: Flaatgræs
Nb: Småpiggknopp
Nn: Småpiggknopp
Pl: Jeżogłówka najmniejsza
Ru: Ежеголовник плавающий
Sv: Dvärgigelknopp, Pikkupalpakko
Cy: Cleddlys bach, Cleddyflys Lleiaf, Cleddyflys Undwf Nofiadwy
Fy: Dûkelpjut

Synonyms

• Sparganium minimum var. flaccidum ((Meinsh.) Graebn.)
• Sparganium ratis (Meinsh.)
• Platanaria natans ((L.) Gray)
• Sparganium minimum (Wallr.)
• Sparganium axilare (Raf.)
• Sparganium minimum subvar. septentrionale ((Meinsh.) Graebn.)
• Sparganium septentrionale (Meinsh.)
• Sparganium gramineum (Wallr.)
• Sparganium minimum subvar. rostratum (Larss.)
• Sparganium minimum var. perpusillum ((Meinsh.) Graebn.)
• Sparganium rostratum (Larss.)
• Sparganium amplexicaulium (D.Yu)
• Sparganium minimum var. strictum (Larss.)
• Sparganium minimum subvar. ratis ((Meinsh.) Graebn.)
• Sparganium perpusillum (Meinsh.)
• Sparganium flaccidum (Meinsh.)
• Sparganium natans var. minimum (L.)
• Sparganium tenuicaule (D.Yu & L.H.Liu)
• Sparganium minimum var. rostratum ((Larss.) Lindm.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 14, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2022 by Andreas Häusler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Kay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by Kristof Hutsebaut (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Kal Soong (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2009 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Lars Wingqvist (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 30, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 28, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2009 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Bernard TILLY (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Bernard TILLY (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:836776-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2702384)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sparganium natans L.)

Specifications

Growth