Sparganium erectum - Branched Bur-reed - (Sparganiaceae)

Branched Bur-reed is common and widespread throughout the UK and Ireland except for the far north.

Found growing in the water at the edges of lakes and slow-flowing rivers, branched bur-reed can reach a height of 1.5 metres. The flower stalk is branched (unlike its relative the unbranched bur-reed in which a single stem witout branches carries the flowers).

Branched bur-reed

The strange spiked flowers appear in July and August. Adult reed smutts (Simulium species) are often seen sunning themselves on the leaf stems in summer.

This plant was photographed beside the River Meon in Hampshire in July.