L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.147182
Element CodePMSPA01090
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderTyphales
FamilyTyphaceae
GenusSparganium
SynonymsSparganium minimum(Hartman) Wallr.
Other Common NamesArctic Bur-reed (EN) Rubanier nageant (FR) small bur-reed (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsSpelled 'nutans' in Kartesz 1994 checklist; correction to 'natans' made in Sept. 1998 review draft.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-01-10
Change Date1993-07-07
Edition Date2025-01-10
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSparganium natans is a circumboreal aquatic perennial monocot occurring in cool, clear, shallow waters in a wide range of aquatic habitats. There are over 5,000 estimated occurrences rangewide, which are threatened by eutrophication, alteration of hydrology, invasive species, development, conversion to agriculture, logging, flooding, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Sparganium natans is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSparganium natans is a circumboreal species (though not found in Greenland) (FNA 2000). In North America, it occurs throughout Alaska and Canada south to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and most western United States except for Nevada (FNA 2000, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 5,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Sparganium natans is threatened by eutrophication, alteration of hydrology, invasive species, development, conversion to agriculture, logging, flooding, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand the scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025).