Flowering rush
Butomus umbellatus
Flowering rush is a very tall attractive plant growing up to 1.5m tall. This hairless perennial plant has a clustered flower head called an umbel with cup-shaped flowers each measuring 2.5-3cm. The pink flowers are formed of three pale pink petals and three dark pink sepals, and can be seen from July to August. Each flower has 6-9 stamens.
The leaves are long and grass-like with parallel veins. They are triangular in section, and are twisted in appearance. The plant spreads using creeping rhizomes, and can form large stands.
Where and when to see them
These plants are in flower from July to August.
They are found in shallow water such as pond margins, and ditches, canals and slow-moving rivers.
View a flowering rush 10km distribution map of Wales.
Legal status
None
Similar Species
None. These plants might look superficially like garden alliums but the habitats are very different.
Did you know?
It is an aggressive, invasive species in North America; and in parts of Russia the rhizomes are used as food!
