Often a Sparganium erectum (Branched Bur-reed) will appear at first glance to be this species as some are much more obviously branched than others. When you do come across the real thing it is obvious that it is unbranched with all the flowers in a column on the single stem. Usually Sparganium emersum will be smaller than the Sparganium erectum species you find which can reach 1.5m but both grow in water at the edges of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Sparganium emersum is a fairly common species which is to be found in most parts of the British Isles.

Westonmoor Nature Reserve, Bristol 9th September 2006

Added on 1st December 2006, updated 10th February 2012