Sparganium sp.
Bur-reed, Bur-Reed
Family: Typhaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Sparganium sp. (Bur-reed) is a native California perennial in the Typhaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Typha: Sparganium has round spiky balls along the stem; Typha has cylindrical brown 'hot dog' spikes.; vs Ruppia: Sparganium has dense spherical flower heads; Ruppia has inconspicuous flowers on thread-like stems.; vs Myriophyllum: Sparganium has undivided ribbon-like leaves; Myriophyllum has feathery, finely-divided leaves.; vs Najas: Sparganium has spherical flower clusters on stems; Najas has tiny flowers hidden in leaf axils.; vs Callitriche: Sparganium has spherical flower heads on tall stems; Callitriche forms small rosettes at water surface.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sparganium sp. native to California?
Yes. Sparganium sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Sparganium sp. belong to?
Sparganium sp. is in the Typhaceae family, genus Sparganium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sparganium angustifolium — Narrow-leaved bur-reed
- Sparganium emersum — European bur reed
- Sparganium eurycarpum — Broadfruit bur reed
- Sparganium eurycarpum var. eurycarpum — Broadfruit bur reed
- Sparganium eurycarpum var. greenei — Bur reed
- Sparganium natans — Small bur-reed
- Typha angustifolia — Narrow-leaved cattail
- Typha domingensis — Southern cattail
- Typha latifolia — Broad-leaved cattail
- Typha sp. — Cattail
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.