Flowering Rush

Butomus umbellatus

Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University Of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Long blades of green leaves with stalks of clusters of small white and pink flowers

Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University Of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Plant Description

Tall cylindrical stalks topped with rounded, umbrella-like clusters of 20-50 flowers. Each flower has three large pink petals and three small pink sepals; resmbles bulrushes and true rushes when not in flower. Fleshy, trailing rhizomes and sometimes bulbils at base of stalks. The shallow water growth form has stiff, upright leaves and the deeper water growth form has flexible floating leaves.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Aquatic
Habitats	Aquatic Emergent Marshes Riparian areas
ODA Listing	A
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Moist to wet
Suggested Actions	Report to Oregon Invasives Hotline
Shade Preference	Full sun
Mature Height	5'
Distribution	Populations have been found in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and a smattering of other (mostly northern) US States, and in Canada.
Control	Small patches can be dug up, being sure to capture and remove bulbils.
Disposal Methods	Do not allow pulled plant fragments to return to the water.
Reproduction and Spread	Bulbils fall off and start new plants; rhizomes break off to form new plants; some varieties produce seeds.
Introduced	native to Eurasia, first found in Canada in late 1800's, and in US in early 1900s.
Look Alikes	bulrushes and true rushes
Impact	Crowds out native wetland and riparian vegetation.
More Info	https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/flowering-rush.aspx