Sparganium angustifolium (Narrow-leaved Bur-reed) - photos and description
Three staminate (male) flower heads above pistillate (female) flower
heads
Pistillate (female) flower heads
Three spent male flower heads above 3 female flower heads
General: Aquatic perennial with stems emergent, leaves floating or erect on upper stem.
Flowers: Male and female flowers on separate heads on the same plant, male flower heads growing above female heads. Flower heads globose, 2-3 female heads, 3 male heads, are typical per plant. Male flower heads measured to 16 mm diameter, female heads to 17 mm diameter. Male flower heads sessile, female heads on short stalks. Anthers on male flowers measured at 1 mm long.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, linear, flat on the top, keeled on the back. We measured a leaf at 8 mm wide. Many leaves floating on the water, upper stem leaves erect.
Height: Flowering stem measured to 18 cm above surface of water.
Habitat: Ponds and sluggish streams in the boreal forest.
Abundance: Fairly common, ranked as an S4 by the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre.
Origin: Native.
When and where photographed: Took the above photos July 6th in sluggish stream boreal forest, about 425 km northeast of our home in Regina, SK.