Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Category: Containment
Distribution: In the Aberdeen area and in the Lake Pend Oreille system.
Diagnostic Characteristics
- Up to 5′ tall, rush-like marsh plant
- Showy white or pale pink flowers in a large umbel
- Stems are triangular in cross-section
Background
- Hardy in zones 3-10, spreads locally by rhizomes and by fragmentation of the root system
- Displaces native riparian plants, blocks canals and boat traffic
- Control of established populations is difficult and requires extensive physical methods of control
Similar Plants
- No native cattail, reed, or rush has similar flowers
Text and photographs for this page copyright © Idaho State Department of Agriculture (idahoag.us). All rights reserved.