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Sparganiaceae Family - "Giant Bur-reed, Bur-reed"

Sparganium is from the Greek word(s) sparganion or sparganon meaning "swaddling band" referring to the ribbon-like leaves.

Very common throughout the entire US, Here in Allamakee county it is much less common than it is in the Lakes Region of Iowa. Can reach 4 feet tall and has distinctive, large, bur-shaped fruits. Leaves are very stiff and ribbon-like. This plant produces both male and female flowers. The wind blows the pollen from the male flowers above to the female flowers below.

Although these plants do produce edible tubers, they are so small as to have made the harvesting difficult and not worth the effort. The Klamath Tribes of Northern California did gather them when other food was scarce.