Sparganium natans (Small Bur-reed) - photos and description
Staminate
flower heads grow above pistillate flower heads
General: Aquatic plant with slender stems, plants emergent.
Flowers: Male and female flowers on separate heads on the same plant, male flower heads growing above female heads. Flower heads globose, 1 male flower head and 1-2 female flower heads per plant. Male flower heads measured at 9 mm diameter, female flower heads measured at 6 mm diameter.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, flat (bottom not keeled as in some other Sparganium species), glabrous, linear. Leaves floating or erect at the top of the stem. We measured a leaf to 3 mm wide.
Height: Flower stem measured to 6 cm above the surface of the water.
Habitat: Shallow water in the boreal forest.
Abundance: Fairly common, ranked as an S4 by the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre.
Origin: Native.
When and where photographed: Photos taken July 7th, roadside pond water 40 cm deep, boreal forest, about 450 km northeast of out home in Regina, SK.