Sparganium erectum
Common Name:
Exotic bur-reed
Synonyms and Other Names:
Simplestem bur-reed, branched bur-reed
Identification:
S. erectum grows from slender rhizomes with terete stems. Its long flat leaves are alternate and slightly keeled. The leaves may be either floating or held above the water depending on life stage and water depth. Each inflorescence has from 5-13 staminate heads and 2-4 pistillate heads. Pistillate heads are sessile. Fruits are obovoid sessile nutlets. Fruits have a truncated top with a small style at the tip.
Size:
3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 meters) tall
Native Range:
Considered native to Europe and Asia (Gurnell et al., 2013).
This species is not currently in the Great Lakes region but may be elsewhere in the US. See the
point map
for details.
Ecology:
Sparganium erectum is a perennial emergent macrophyte growing in dense and tall (up to 2.4 meters) stands with thick deep roots (Gurnell et al., 2013). Its thick roots give S. erectum high resistance to uprooting (O’hare et al., 2013). S. erectum prefers slow moving or still water between 10 and 20 cm deep with relatively high nutrient concentrations (Newman, 2005).
In temperate biomes,the S. erectum growing season is from April to September, with fruit ripening in November. Plants typically spread via vegetative growth or dispersal of detached rhizomes, and seedling survival and spread may only be important in undisturbed habitats (Newman, 2005).
Means of Introduction:
Sparganium erectum has a moderate probability of introduction to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: Moderate)
Potential pathway(s) of introduction: Dispersal
The closest reported population of S. erectum to the Great Lakes is at Devil’s Lake State Park in Sauk County Wisconsin (Lange, 1998). This area is within the Mississippi Drainage, so S. erectum is unlikely to be carried into the Great Lakes through waterways; however, seeds may be dispersed by the wind.
Status:
S. erectum is reported as introduced to California, New York, and Wisconsin (USDA plants, 2002). The Wisconsin population is the closest to the Great Lakes, but the Wisconsin DNR (1998) lists S. erectum occurence in this area as rare. Sparganium erectum has a moderate probability of establishment if introduced to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: Moderate)
S. erectum populations have been reported to be widespread in Britain, the European continent and Asia (O’hare et al., 2013) as well as some populations outside of the Great Lakes basin in Wisconsin (Lange, 1998). These areas have similar climate to the Great Lakes region, which indicates that S. erectum could probably tolerate the environmental conditions of the Great Lakes. S. erectum prefers slow-moving or still water from 10-20 cm (Newman, 2005). This habitat is widely available throughout the Great Lakes. Waterfowl feed on S. erectum (Wagner, 2005) which may limit S. erectum establishment somewhat; however, there are no reports of waterfowl predation eradicating S. erectum populations.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
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Great Lakes Impacts: Sparganium erectum has the potential for high environmental impacts if introduced to the Great Lakes
S. erectum forms monospecific stands that retain fine sediment (O’hare et al 2011). Retention of fine sediments can contribute to increased water clarity. S. erectum growth affects the shape of river reaches, which decreases river discharge, causes flooding, and affects the physical components of river ecosystems (Bal et al., 2017). Sparganium erectum has the potential for moderate socio-economic impact if introduced to the Great Lakes
S. erectum stands retain fine sediment which has been found to contribute to localized flooding of rivers (Aseada et al., 2010). This localized flooding may be harmful to economically important land uses such as recreation or agriculture. Additionally, large monospecific stands of S. erectum may decrease the perceived aesthetic of Great Lakes wetlands and shorelines.
Sparganium erectum has the potential for moderate beneficial impact if introduced to the Great Lakes
S. erectum stands may contribute to bank stability and prevent nuisance erosion and turbidity (Asaeda et al., 2010). Traditionally, Sparganium tubers were eaten by the Klamath Indians (Favorite, 2002). The stem and roots of S. erectum are both edible, but they are not commonly eaten.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
Sparganium erectum is federally listed as a noxious weed (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, 360.200). S. erectum is also prohibited in Illinois (Illinois administrative Code Chapter 1, 805), Indiana (312 IAC 18-3-23), and Minnesota (MN Administrative Rules, 6216.0250). Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
Cattle and other livestock will uproot and eat S. erectum if given access to water margins where S. erectum grows (Newman, 2005)
Physical
Cutting during the summer growing season has been shown to significantly decrease the biomass of S. erectum stands (Bal et al., 2017). However, cutting allows for rapid regrowth from rhizomes, making it unlikely that mowing would be effective for eradicating established S. erectum populations (Quilliam et al., 2015). Rototilling may be more effective, but it can result in bycatch of aquatic animals as well as increased turbidity (Bal et al., 2017).
Chemical
Glyphosate applied at a concentration of 5 liters per hectare during the growing season will reduce S. erectum growth (Newman, 2005).
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Boucher, N., E. Lower, and R. Sturtevant
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
12/19/2018
Citation for this information:
Boucher, N., E. Lower, and R. Sturtevant, 2024, Sparganium erectum: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=3657&Potential=Y&Type=2&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 12/19/2018, Access Date: 4/23/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.