Sparganium erectum - Bur Reed

Family:	Sparganiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	S. eurycarpum. S. ramosum.
Range:	Found in most northern temperate regions, including Britain.

Sparganium erectum (Bur Reed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Bur Reed will flower in December to February. The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Bur Reed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Bur Reed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bur Reed can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Muddy or peaty shores and shallow water to 30cm deep, in ponds, ditches and ungrazed marshland[17, 24].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Grows in muddy ground or water up to 30cm deep[17, 24]. Requires a rich soil[56]. Tolerates some shade[200]. Tolerates deep shade[188]. An important autumn and winter food source for wild fowl.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - cooked[22, 46, 61. 105, 257]. A sweetish flavour[161]. Stem base - cooked[105, 161].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
An infusion of the whole plant, mixed with other plant leaves, has been used in the treatment of chills[257].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a pot in the greenhouse. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and gradually increase the depth of water as the plants grow until it is about level with the tops of the pots[240]. Plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently, otherwise plant them out in the following spring. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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