Sparganiaceae

Genera : 1 Species: 13 - 15     Links to genus directories:   Sparganium

Distribution: Aquatic or semi-aquatic environments in the north temperate to arctic regions, with a few in Australia and New Zealand.

Economic Uses: The stems and leaves are a source of nesting material and food for aquatic birds and mammals.

Defining Features of Interest: The common name for the family is 'the bur-reed', which describes the characteriatic inflorescence of the family; a round, dense head.

Fossil Evidence: Fossils in the Paleocene with some more questionable fossils in the Upper Cretaceous.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and unisexual/monoecious. Inflorescence a dense head of sessile flowers attached to the main axis with male flowers above female flowers.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit an achene with persistent style and tepals. Seeds with mealy endosperm present. Placentation is apical or basal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herbs. Leaves are simple, linear and entire, two-ranked and alternate. Often thick and spongy with sheathing at the base.