Saginaw Bay CISMA
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Steering Committee
    • Partners
  • Invasive Species
    • Invasive Species Profiles >
      • Japanese Knotweed
      • Giant Knotweed
      • Phragmites
      • Spongy Moth
      • European Frog-bit
      • Invasive Swallow-wort
      • Starry Stonewort
      • Flowering Rush
    • Watch List Species
  • Events
    • National Invasive Species Awareness Week
  • Projects
    • Shoreline Phragmites Treatments 2022
    • Roadside Treatment
    • Hampton Township Treatment
    • Au Gres River European Frog-Bit
  • Resources
    • Landowner Resources
    • Outreach and Education
    • Contractors
    • Tool Crib Rental
  • Contact Us
    • Employment
    • Volunteer

Flowering Rush

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is Eurasian plant first found in North America in the late 1800’s. It spreads mostly from rhizomes and occurs in wet areas with muddy soil, including freshwater marshlands, lakes and streams. Flowering rush can displace native riparian vegetation and forms dense stands that impede boat traffic and trap aquatic wildlife.  It spreads vegetatively, or by seeding, making it difficult to control. Flowering rush is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and has the potential to invade across much of the United States.
Picture
Tall thick leaves can impede boating and wildlife movement. Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
PicturePhoto credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Identification:
•Erect floating or submerged plant.
•Grows in waters up to 6 feet deep
•Smooth triangular leaves grow up to 3 feet long.
•Pale pink flowers with three petals and three petal like sepals.
•Flowers bloom midsummer.
•Fruit with notable beaks. 
•Deep fleshy rhizomes grow up to 2 feet below the surface.​

PicturePhoto credit: Leslie J. Mehroff, University of Connecticut,, Bugwood.org
Habitat: Flowering rush grows in marshes and can tolerate water as deep or deeper than that in which cattail is normally found (up to 2 metres), extending to the deepest range of emergent marsh species. Flowering rush is mostly found on shores of lakes, ponds and riverbanks, and it is intolerant of salt or brackish water.

Additional Resources
Best Management Strategies 
MDARD Weed risk Assessment
MISIN Invasive Species Training
Michigan Invasive  Species Website
Report Flowering Rush
Banner credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Contact Us

4490 W. M-61
Standish, MI 48658
P: (989)-846-4565 ext. 5
Hours of Operation: 
Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:30
Join Our Mailing List
This project was funded by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (Michigan.gov/Invasives).

    Questions? Concerns? Email Us!

Submit
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Steering Committee
    • Partners
  • Invasive Species
    • Invasive Species Profiles >
      • Japanese Knotweed
      • Giant Knotweed
      • Phragmites
      • Spongy Moth
      • European Frog-bit
      • Invasive Swallow-wort
      • Starry Stonewort
      • Flowering Rush
    • Watch List Species
  • Events
    • National Invasive Species Awareness Week
  • Projects
    • Shoreline Phragmites Treatments 2022
    • Roadside Treatment
    • Hampton Township Treatment
    • Au Gres River European Frog-Bit
  • Resources
    • Landowner Resources
    • Outreach and Education
    • Contractors
    • Tool Crib Rental
  • Contact Us
    • Employment
    • Volunteer