HomeMy WebLinkAboutFlowering Rush.pdf
Flowering Rush Umbellate‐shaped inflorescence Full bloom
Maple Ridge Noxious Weeds Program
Flowering Rush
(Butomus umbellatus)
Designation: Provincially Noxious
History:
Flowering rush is native to Asia, Europe and
Africa. It was brought to North America for
use as a water garden plant.
How to Identify:
Size: Very large, up to 5 m tall.
Flowers: Deep pink to white in colour, are 2
to 2.5 cm across and are grouped in an
umbellate‐shaped inflorescence at the top
of the stalk. Flowers between May and
September.
Leaves: Grow on opposite sides of the stem
and are about 1 m long.
Stem: Resemble bulrushes and range from
0.5 m to 1.5 m in height and are round.
Location: Found in wetlands, sedge
meadows, streams, river banks, ditches and
lake shores. Can also grow on wet soil, in
shallow water or be underwater.
Mistaken Identity: When not in flower,
most often mistaken as common bulrush.
Danger / Impact
Displaces native vegetation and reduces
biological diversity. Clogs irrigation canals.
Dense mats can restrict light, dissolved
gases and nutrients available to other
submerged plants.
Often occurs with purple loosestrife,
another noxious weed.
Management:
Flowering rush is an aggressive plant that is still sold as a water
garden plant. The best method to control flowering rush is to
not plant it at all.
For effective control where it has established, hand‐cut plants
below the water surface. Cutting will not kill the plant but will
decrease the abundance. Repetitive cutting may be needed
throughout the growing season. All cut plant parts must be
removed from the water.
Disposal: Dispose of plants in double bagged garbage bags, use
as compost or burn.
Restoration and Planting Alternatives:
Native Species:
Hardhack (Spiraea douglasii)
Common bulrush (Typha latifolia)
Non‐native species:
Blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Tall delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
Common bulrush – Native Species easily mistaken for
Flowering Rush
Distribution in DMR:
May be mistaken identification and may not be in
DMR; a weed for rapid response and eradication.
Who Do you Call?
1) REPORT PROHIBITED WEED – Report‐A‐Weed: www.reportaweedbc.ca 1‐888‐WEEDSBC
2) DMR: 604‐467‐7363 – And see: http://www.mapleridge.ca/714/Invasive‐Plant‐Species
Information and photos: http://invasivespeciesmanitoba.com/site/uploads/pdf/ISCM%20Fact%20Sheets/Flowering%20Rush2013.pdf
http://www.bcinvasives.ca/general/weed‐of‐the‐week‐flowering‐rush
http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca
http://iscmv.ca/target‐species/species‐profiles