About Sparganium natans L.
Sparganium natans L. is a species of bur-reed, commonly called least bur-reed and small bur-reed. It is a circumboreal aquatic plant that grows across North America, Europe, West Asia, and Japan. It most often grows fully submerged in shallow, calm water. This species produces thin, flexible, grasslike leaves that float on the water’s surface. Individual plants that grow more of their structure above water at the waterline have tougher, shorter leaves. The plant produces two distinct types of inflorescences: staminate inflorescences are rounded white filamentous balls, while pistillate inflorescences are spheres made of thick, green, pointed peduncles. Its fruits are small green or brown achenes.
