Butomus umbellatus - Flowering Rush

Despite its name, flowering rush is not closely related to true rushes but is, in fact, a unique flower with a genus and family (the Butomaceae) all to itself.

Flowering rush grows up to 1.5 metres tall. Its rose-pink flowers each have three petals backed by three smaller and rather darker sepals. As the seed pods ripen, the sepals and petals turn brown but persist until the six segments of the pod split to release their many tiny seeds. Flowering rush blooms between June and September.

Wildflowers of Wales This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 4 - Watersides and Wetlands. Sample pages... Order online... Order by post...