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Upright Burhead

Echinodorus berteroi

Last reviewed: August 2026

Upright Burhead (Echinodorus berteroi)
Photo: Anthony Valois and the National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Upright Burhead (Echinodorus berteroi) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

6"–24" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, CA, FL, IA and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral California ValleySouthern California MountainsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsCentral Irregular PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Upright burhead is a native aquatic perennial that thrives in consistently wet soils and marshy conditions. It produces small white flowers from June through September and maintains a compact, upright growth habit. This plant is best suited for water gardens, rain gardens, or areas with poor drainage.

In an HOA neighborhood

Upright Burhead takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires constantly wet conditions that may look problematic in typical landscaping
  • Aquatic nature makes it unsuitable for standard residential plantings
  • May appear unkempt when not in ideal wetland conditions

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and flies for pollination. As a native wetland plant, it provides habitat for moisture-loving insects and can support amphibians in wet garden areas.

Common questions

How much sun does Upright Burhead need?
Upright Burhead grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Upright Burhead bloom?
Upright Burhead blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Upright Burhead native?
Upright Burhead (Echinodorus berteroi) is native to AR, CA, FL, IA and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Upright Burhead attract?
Upright Burhead draws bees and flies.
Is Upright Burhead HOA-friendly?
Upright Burhead takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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