Flowering Rush

Common Name: Flowering Rush
Scientific Name: Butomus umbellatus

Flowering rush produces pretty pink flowers in an umbel at the top of the stem. Each flower has 3 petals, 3 petal-like sepals, long triangular leaves, and a round stem that the flowers are on.
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Flowering rush originated in Eurasia but can now be found throughout the Midwest, including in Southern Michigan, and in isolated patches in the Straits of Mackinac area (MISIN). Flowering rush was brought to the United States in the early 1900’s as a garden plant. It likes the shallow shores of lakes, streams, and marshes.

Flowering rush spreads through rhizomes, but some populations produce water-dispersed seeds.

It can crowd out native vegetation and form dense stands that impede boating or other recreation.​

Similar Species
Sedges and three-square bulrush look similar but have triangular(ish) stems, not round like the flowering rush. Native bulrushes and rushes have smooth stems, but do not have the pretty pink bunch of flowers. 
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Burr reed can look similar but has large spike balls, and cattails are flatter and do not have umbel flowers.

Photo credit: Ben Lagler

Image: Ben Legler

To Report Hydrilla
If you believe you have found invasive Hydrilla (or another invasive species), you can report the sighting to Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council at (231) 347-1181 or e-mail [email protected]

MISIN Mobile App Reporting
You may also report invasive species using the free mobile smartphone app from Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN).