Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) profile

Flowering rush, scientific name Butomus umbellatus, is a perennial aquatic herb. The rhizome is stout and overgrown. Leaves are basal, the upper part protruded from the water, linear, triangulate, base sheathlike. Stems are cylindrical, erect, longitudinally striated. Flowers are bisexual, into terminal umbels. Flowering rush has 3 perianth, purplish, persistent, 3 inner perianth, pale red. 

Flowering rush picture

The morphology of flowering rush

Rhizome

Flowering rush is a perennial aquatic plant, in its origin. Flowering rush has fibrous root, old root yellow brown, new root white, the longest root 15-20 cm.

Leaf

Flowering rush is elliptic, about 13 cm long, entire, apex rounded or slightly concave, base obtuse, smooth leaf surface, 10-12 curved veins. Petiole is tri-prismatic, 15-20 cm long, with spongy tissue inside, base sheathlike.

Flowers

Inflorescences of Flowering rush are puberulent rush, umbellate, filaments slightly oblate at base, upper triangular, pedicels long 2 -- 5 cm, bracts 3, green, broadly elliptic; Flowers are bisexual, 3 -- 4 cm in diameter, 6 petals, light yellow, about 1.5 -- 2.5 cm long, containing 400 -- 500 seeds; Seeds are brown, horseshoe shaped, spiny surface raised.

The ecological habits of flowering rush

Flowering rush grows in swamps, wetlands, and rice paddies. You may grow best in a well-ventilated environment, but you prefer warm, moist conditions.

Flowering rush area of distribution

Flowering rush is found in ponds, depressions or wet sandy land along rivers.

Flowering rush can be found in Qincheng of Changping, Xiyuan of Haidian, Summer Palace, Huangcun of Daxing, Zhongnanhai and Huairou Reservoir in Beijing. It is distributed in Northeast China, East China and North China.

Flowering rush is widely distributed in Horqin Sandy Land, Sandy Land and Qaidam Basin, as well as in Europe and Asia. It is mainly distributed in North America, northern Europe and northern Asia.

How to propagate flowering rush

Flowering rush propagates each by means of seed and clonally through the manufacturing of severa vegetative bulbs on each the rhizomes and inflorescences and with the aid of small-scale rhizome fragmentation.

How to control flowering rush

Mechanical control

Digging or suction dredging by using hand can also be a manage choice for remote or character flowers in areas of low density populations. To be successful, the complete rhizome device needs to be eliminated besides dislodging the rhizome bulbs. Even a moderate backside disturbance can reason the rhizome bulbils to release. Land disposal of plant fabric is necessary. No vegetation or sediments can be lower back to the water.

Herbicide control

Herbicide trials are underway in Whatcom County, Washington. Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

Flowering rush uses

The root and stem of Flowering rush contained 37% to 40% starch, and the yield of 60 degree wine reached 24-26%. It can also be used to make starch.

The flowers and leaves of Flowering rush are beautiful and can be appreciated.