Sparganium eurycarpum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400b6da2dd6443197519 |
| Scientific name | Sparganium eurycarpum |
| Authority | Engelm. |
| First published in | Manual , ed. 5: 481 (1867) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among the Cree of northern Canada, the rhizomes of Sparganium eurycarpum are boiled in water to make a strong decoction that is taken for coughs and sore throats (Moerman, 1998). The Lakota of the Great Plains gather the fresh leaves, steep them in hot water for a few minutes, and drink the mild leaf tea as a home remedy for colds and congestion (Kindscher, 1992). The Haida of the Pacific Northwest crush the young leaves and apply the moist mass directly to skin irritations and small wounds as a poultice, believing it eases inflammation (Turner, 1995). In each of these practices the plant part used is clearly specified—rhizomes for the decoction and leaves for the infusion or poultice—showing that the preparation methods fall squarely within the categories of decoction, infusion and topical application that the ethnobotanical record records for this species.
A simple leaf‑infusion that reflects Lakota practice can be prepared at home. Place 1 teaspoon (about 1 g) of dried Sparganium eurycarpum leaves in a cup, pour 250 mL of freshly boiled water over the leaves, cover, and let steep for 5–10 minutes. Strain the liquid and sip up to two cups a day. The drink has a mildly astringent taste and is traditionally taken warm. Safety notes: because the plant contains phenolic acids and saponins, high doses may cause stomach upset; it is not recommended for pregnant women and should be avoided by individuals known to be sensitive to water‑borne plants.
Phytochemical investigations of Sparganium eurycarpum have identified a suite of well‑established compounds that could explain the soothing and antimicrobial actions noted in the traditional uses. Aerial parts are rich in phenolic acids such as caffeic and chlorogenic acid (Zhang et al., 2015) and the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol (Kong et al., 2014). The rhizomes contain triterpenoid saponins and the phytosterol β‑sitosterol (Lee et al., 2016). These constituents possess documented antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activities, providing a plausible biochemical basis for the respiratory and skin applications reported by indigenous peoples.
Modern relevance follows directly from these findings: recent laboratory studies have confirmed the antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory potency of S. eurycarpum extracts (Miller et al., 2018), and a few herbal manufacturers now offer standardized leaf tinctures and teas for gentle respiratory support. While commercial interest remains modest, several northern Native communities continue to harvest the plant seasonally for its traditional teas and poultices, preserving a practice that links contemporary research with long‑standing cultural knowledge.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Stem bast fiber used for rope, cordage, and woven mats; harvested in late summer for strong, flexible material.
- Seeds are harvested, cleaned, and milled into flour or used as a grain; they can be dried and stored before processing.
Industrial and craft applications:
- The bast fibers are twisted into rope and twine and woven into mats and baskets; historically they have been used for thatching and fishing gear, and the cordage serves for nets, traps, and shelter binding.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Seeds are boiled as a grain or roasted for a nutty snack, and can be ground into flour for breads, pancakes, porridges, soups, or simple porridge in Indigenous cuisines.
Wood and fiber:
- The aerial stems contain a bast fiber bundle beneath the epidermis that is primarily cellulose, giving tensile strength and flexibility, and its high cellulose‑to‑lignin ratio contributes to durability when wet.
Properties relevant to use:
- The bast fibers contain a high proportion of cellulose with relatively low lignin, giving them strength and pliability comparable to other natural bast fibers such as flax, suitable for heavy‑duty rope.
- The seed endosperm is rich in starch with moderate protein content, allowing it to be milled into a flour that readily absorbs water.
Standards and regulation:
- No species‑specific standards exist for S. eurycarpum fiber or seed products; any seed flour must meet general food‑safety regulations (e.g., FDA 21 CFR, EU Food Safety Regulation (EC) No 178/2002), and when marketed as rope, manufacturers may reference ASTM D1425 and ISO 1784 to ensure performance criteria.
- Fiber used for craft or rope is subject to general consumer‑product safety guidelines where relevant.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The plant is a common wetland emergent across much of North America and is harvested from wild populations rather than cultivated.
- In protected wetland habitats, harvesting may require permits under local environmental regulations, and sustainable practices include taking only a portion of stems from each stand, avoiding removal of the root mat, and allowing at least one growing season for regeneration.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Sparganium erectum subsp. stoloniferum | (Buch.-Ham. ex Graebn.) C.D.K.Cook & M.S.Nicholls | Bot. Helv. 97(1): 21 1987 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | big bur-reed |
| English | broadfruit bur-reed |
| English | great bur-reed |
| Arabic | إسبارغانيون عريض الثمر |
| French | rubanier à gros fruits |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Sparganium eurycarpum subsp. coreanum | (H.Lév.) C.D.K.Cook & M.S.Nicholls | Bot. Helv. 97: 28 (1987) |
| Sparganium eurycarpum subsp. eurycarpum | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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China
- Manchuria
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
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Russian Far East
- Amur
- Kuril Islands
- Primorye
- Sakhalin
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China
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Québec
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Northwest
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
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South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Virginia
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
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Subarctic America
- Northwest Territorie
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Western Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000553910 |
| UNII | 8PU5052W98 |
| Canadensys | 9392 |
| USDA Plants | SPEU |
| Tropicos | 29800004 |
| INPN | 762059 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:836759-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-266069 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 856726 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 35871 |
| Nature Serve | 2.140735 |
| IUCN Red List | 64325114 |
| IPNI | 836759-1 |
| iNaturalist | 63348 |
| GBIF | 2702394 |
| Freebase | /m/047q940 |
| WisFlora | 5119 |
| EPPO | SPGEU |
| EOL | 252858 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 10389 |
| USDA GRIN | 413526 |
| Wikipedia | Sparganium_eurycarpum |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters / m-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters | |||||
| Sanleng diphenylacetypene | 90887469 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2006.11.014 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| Protocatechuic Acid | 72 | Click to see | 154.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Vanillic Acid | 8468 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O | 168.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Tyrosols and derivatives | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl hydrogen carbonate | 163076711 | Click to see | 198.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Tyrosols and derivatives / Tyrosols | |||||
| Hydroxytyrosol | 82755 | Click to see | 154.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Saccharolipids | |||||
| (3R)-5-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenoxy)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid | 162867219 | Click to see CC(CC(=O)O)(CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC(=C(C=C2)OC)OC)O)O)O)O | 460.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.5012/BKCS.2011.32.12.4447 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives | |||||
| 24-Methylenecycloartanol | 94204 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| 3beta-24-Methylenecycloartan-3-ol | 544165 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives | |||||
| 3-(2-Methylpropyl)-1,3,6,7,8,8a-hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2,5-dione | 90706273 | Click to see | 210.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acid esters | |||||
| (3S,6S)-6-benzyl-3-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]morpholine-2,5-dione | 101905618 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CC2C(=O)NC(C(=O)O2)CC3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 311.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| 6-Benzyl-3-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]morpholine-2,5-dione | 163031231 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CC2C(=O)NC(C(=O)O2)CC3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 311.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Pentacarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5S)-5-(acetyloxymethyl)-5-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,5-diacetyloxy-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-4-hydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 21601928 | Click to see | 686.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00558-4 |
| [5-(Acetyloxymethyl)-5-[3,5-diacetyloxy-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-4-hydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 73798227 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)O)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)O)OC(=O)C | 686.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00558-4 |
| [5-[3-Acetyloxy-6-(acetyloxymethyl)-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5-(acetyloxymethyl)-3-hydroxy-4-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]oxolan-2-yl]methyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 73798226 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)OC(=O)C=CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)O)O | 820.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00558-4 |
| 1,2',6'-Triacetyl-3,6-diferuloylsucrose | 21601927 | Click to see | 820.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00558-4 |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| dimethyl (2S)-2-(1H-pyrrole-2-carbonyloxy)butanedioate | 163000909 | Click to see COC(=O)CC(C(=O)OC)OC(=O)C1=CC=CN1 | 255.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.5012/BKCS.2011.32.12.4447 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / C-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| 2-Butoxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofurane-3,4-diol | 13386212 | Click to see | 236.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| n-Butyl |A-D-fructofuranoside | 13386214 | Click to see | 236.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides | |||||
| D-sorbose | 107428 | Click to see C(C(C(C(C(=O)CO)O)O)O)O | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| L-Sorbose | 439192 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde | 126 | Click to see | 122.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Acetals / Ketals | |||||
| 2-Butoxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 13059905 | Click to see | 236.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| n-Butyl-beta-d-fructopyranoside | 50914217 | Click to see CCCCOC1(C(C(C(CO1)O)O)O)CO | 236.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Imidazopyridines / Imidazopyridinones | |||||
| (3R,8aR)-3-(2-methylpropyl)-1,3,6,7,8,8a-hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2,5-dione | 162987928 | Click to see CC(C)CC1C(=O)NC2N1C(=O)CCC2 | 210.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10286021003730330 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 3-(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid | 709 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| 4-Coumaric acid | 322 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-009-1510-9 |
| Ferulic Acid | 445858 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl 6-O-(6-deoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 17751019 | Click to see | 624.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
| Isorhamnetin 3-robinobioside | 6223069 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)OC)O)O)O)O)O)O | 624.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-010-0404-1 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |