Description and Adaptation:
Creeping burhead is a creeping annual or short-lived perennial. The leaves are broadly heart shaped, 2-7 inches long and almost as wide. The principal veins are conspicuous and impressed on the upper surface of the leaf blade. The petioles are 4-20 inches long, enlarged and spongy towards the base. The flowering shoot (scape) can reach 3 feet or more in length; scapes are upright when young, often drooping and rooting at the tips to produce new plantlets. Numerous whorls of flowers with white petals and greenish centers are located along the scape. Flowering begins in June and continues until frost. The fruiting heads are round, bur like clusters of small brown seeds. The native range of the species is from Maryland south to Florida, west to Missouri and the panhandle of Texas. It is usually found growing in swamps, wet woodlands, marshes, and ditches. There are some indications that it prefers a slightly shaded location. Best growth is generally on wetland soils with fairly high organic matter.
Uses:
Creeping burhead is an attractive aquatic plant that is recommended for use in shallow ponds and pools. It may also be suitable for use in constructed wetlands. Wildlife benefits have not been documented but it can provide some cover for smaller species.
Status:
Creeping burhead is listed as extirpated in Indiana and endangered in Maryland. This plant is considered an obligate wetland indicator species. Please consult the PLANTS
Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).
Weediness:
This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use.
Establishment:
Leflore Source creeping burhead, a selection of this species, is established using transplants. The creeping nature of this plant produces numerous small plantlets that can be dug and divided from the parent plant.Larger plants can also be dug and should be planted without further division. Cutting the leaves before planting is usually not necessary unless they are unusually tall, however, cutting any attached flower scapes is recommended. The plants can be planted year round, but spring and fall planting will be less stressful. Recommended plant spacing is 2-3 feet. After planting, water levels should be kept at about 1-2 inches until the plants become established. A light application of complete fertilizer may be applied to aid establishment.
Management:
Established plants will tolerate water depths up to one foot during the growing season, with greater depths acceptable when the plants are dormant. If the growing site is infertile, the plants will respond to two or three light applications of complete fertilizer during the growing season. Burning or mowing is not recommended.
Pests and Potential Problems:
Occasional late-summer leaf dieback has been observed.
Environmental Concerns:
Further work is needed to determine creeping burhead’s adaptation in wetlands subject to sewage effluent.
Control:
Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.
Sourced From: http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/mspmcfs10611.pdf
