Typha latifolia - Great Reedmace, or Bulrush - (Typhaceae)

Great Reedmace is widespread throughout the UK and Ireland except for the far north.

Found growing in the water at the edges of lakes and slow-flowing rivers, the Great Reedmace is often referred to as Bulrush, but in fact it is not a member of the 'rush' family. It can grow to two metres tall.

Great reedmace

The strange spiked flowers appear from June to August. The straw-coloured male flower is directly above the darker, cylindrical female flower.

Also quite common is the lesser bullrush, a slimmer, but otherwise very similar plant.