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

Stem

  • To 5 ft. tall flower stalks
Photo of flowering rush stem
 

Leaves

  • Thin, lance-shaped, triangular in cross-section, up to 40 in. long, may twist towards the leaf tip
Photo of flowering rush rhizomes
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
Photo of pink flowering rush flower
 

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
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

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Also of Interest:

 
Photo of rush skeletonweed
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