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Flowering Rush
Family: Butomaceae;
Genus: Butomus;
Species: umbellatus;
Synonyms:
Growth Form: Forb
General:
Perennial, emergent aquatic herb that can be submerged in deep water; grows 1-4 feet tall on an erect stem in shallow water.
Flowers:
3 petals & 3 sepals, white or pink in a distinctive flat-topped spray atop a tall stalk. Blooms from mid-summer thru early fall. Prefers shallow or slow moving water; Plants only produce flowers in very shallow water or on dry sites.
Fruits and Seeds:
Rarely produces seeds, spreads locally by rhizomes and root pieces that break off and form new plants.
Leaves:
Emergent leaves grow from base of stem, 2 - 4 feet tall, stiff and narrow, with smooth edges, and triangular in cross-section, leaf tips may be spirally twisted. Submersed leaves are limp.
Stems or Branches:
Green, resemble native bulrushes, but are triangular in cross section:stem is leafless.
Threatens:
Threatens freshwater marshes, backwaters, and shorelines, stream, lakes and ditches.
Look-Alikes:
Burreeds, Sparganium spp.; leaves keeled (V-shaped) and female flower parts resemble small, spiked balls.
Distribution:
Native to Eurasia. Found in found in 14 states
including: Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana,
New York, North Dakota, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont,
and Wisconsin.
Other Links:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/fact/rush_flowering.htm
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/floweringrush
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Plant with flowers
Bill Smith, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Plant with flowers close-up
Bill Smith, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Flowers
Emmet Judziewicz, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Plant with flowers
Emmet Judziewicz, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Flower head
Emmet Judziewicz, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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