Stem

To 5 ft. tall flower stalks

Leaves

Thin, lance-shaped, triangular in cross-section, up to 40 in. long, may twist towards the leaf tip

Photo of flowering rush rhizomes

Flower

Flowers grow at the end of tall, cylindrical stalks in umbrella-shaped clusters of 20 to 50 flowers; individual flowers have 3 large pink petals and 3 small pink sepals under the flower that look like flower petals, 9 stamens and 6 pink pistils

Root

Fleshy rhizomes that grow trailing below the ground; bulbils (bulb-like plant sprouts) form at base of flower stalks and roots

Photo of flowering rush rhizomes

Other

Grows along lake shores, slow-moving rivers and streams, irrigation ditches and wetlands; no known occurrences in Nevada
Perennial, spreads by rhizomes, bulbils and seed
Grows upright in shallow water and submerged in deeper water up to 9 ft. deep
Although it resembles a true rush, flowering rush is in its own family and can be distinguished by its pink flowers

Photo of flowering rush plant with pink flowers

Photo of flowering rush flowers

Control

Carefully dig up plants, removing all rhizomes and bulbils
Mid-summer applications of imazamox or imazapyr under calm wind conditions have been reported to be effective; repeat treatment may be required

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Flowering rush, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Rush skeletonweed Rush skeletonweed is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Master Gardeners of Douglas County

Learn about the Master Gardener program in Douglas County, Nevada.

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Flowering rush

Stem

To 5 ft. tall flower stalks

Leaves

Thin, lance-shaped, triangular in cross-section, up to 40 in. long, may twist towards the leaf tip

Photo of flowering rush rhizomes

Flower

Flowers grow at the end of tall, cylindrical stalks in umbrella-shaped clusters of 20 to 50 flowers; individual flowers have 3 large pink petals and 3 small pink sepals under the flower that look like flower petals, 9 stamens and 6 pink pistils

Root

Fleshy rhizomes that grow trailing below the ground; bulbils (bulb-like plant sprouts) form at base of flower stalks and roots

Photo of flowering rush rhizomes

Other

Grows along lake shores, slow-moving rivers and streams, irrigation ditches and wetlands; no known occurrences in Nevada
Perennial, spreads by rhizomes, bulbils and seed
Grows upright in shallow water and submerged in deeper water up to 9 ft. deep
Although it resembles a true rush, flowering rush is in its own family and can be distinguished by its pink flowers

Photo of flowering rush flowers

Control

Carefully dig up plants, removing all rhizomes and bulbils
Mid-summer applications of imazamox or imazapyr under calm wind conditions have been reported to be effective; repeat treatment may be required

Published by: Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B., 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Flowering rush, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide