Flowering rush
Butomus umbellamus

Photos:

Scientific/Common Name: Flowering rush (Butomus umbellamus) grass rush.

Roots:
The plant grows from thick, freshly rhizomes.  Also, has a thick root system.  The roots can break off and form new plants. (2), (1), (4), (5)

Leaves: The leaves are about 1 m long and 1 cm wide.  They are triangular shape and have smooth edges.  The leaf tips might be twisted.  In the water the leaves are limp but on land the flowering rush has erect leaves.  The leaves are very long and rise from the base of the plant.
(2), (1), (3), (5)

Flowers: They are 2-2.5 cm long.  They can be colored white or pink.  Each individual flower has 3 whitish pink petals and 3 sepals.  The flowers are arranged in umbrella form.  The fruits are 1 cm long and is the seed capsule (10), (2), (1), (4), (5)

Stems: The stem grows taller than the leaes and can be a height of 1m.
(1)

Reproduction: Plants produce in water and dry areas.  The plant reproduces by seed production and vegetative spread of its rootstocks with the production of the bublets. (8)

Where Its Found
It is found in marshes can can handle deep levels of water and also can be found along shores of lakes, rivers, and ponds. (6)

Methods of Control
Biological: No data found.

Chemical:
  No herbicides are registered for use in water.  Chemical control is not recommended at this time.
(1),(6)

Mechanical: You can cut flowering rush plants below the water.  When you cut it dispose of all the excess material.  Cutting will not kill the plant but it will decrease it.
(1), (6)


Links:
1) http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/science/splep/flowering_rush.html
2) http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/rush.html
3) http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/wildlife/flowers_flowering_rush.html
4) http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/herbaceous/floweringrush.html
5) http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/butumb.html
6) http://www.invadingspecies.com/Invaders.cfm?A=Page&PID=9
7) http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=610&fr=1&sts=
8) http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/fact/rush_flowering.htm
9) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_rush
10) http://www.in.gov/dnr/invasivespecies/FLOWERING%20RUSH.pdf

By: Kelsey Cronan, 3/2006.    

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