Flowering rush

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) — the sole representative of the family Butomaceae, occurs along the banks of water bodies, usually among other tall marsh vegetation. Its pale-pink flowers, gathered into large umbel-like inflorescences, immediately attract attention. The flowering rush is widespread in Europe and the non-tropical regions of Asia, excluding the Arctic, the northern taiga zone and highlands above 1000 m above sea level. In addition, it has been introduced to North America and is well naturalized in southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. In the more continental areas of Asia the flowering rush is represented by a smaller, narrow-leaved form, sometimes treated as a separate species — the rush-like flowering rush (Butomus junceus).

The flowering rush is a fairly large (40—150 cm tall) perennial plant with a long and thick (usually 1.5—2 cm) horizontal monopodial rhizome, on the lower side of which numerous roots form, and on the upper side two rows of three-angled linear leaves are arranged. Vegetative buds arise from the leaf axils and give rise to new rhizomes, and leafless flower stalks emerge from the axils as well. Flower stalks usually arise in the axil of every ninth leaf of the rhizome (including dead leaves) at intervals of 4—7 cm from each other, in numbers of 1—3 during a single growing season. Lateral buds of the rhizome, covered by a prophyll and scale-like basal leaves — cataphylls, later readily lose connection with the parent rhizome, giving rise to new flowering rush individuals.

At the base of the leaves there are well-developed open sheaths, and in their axils numerous colorless intravaginal scales characteristic of many other aquatic and marsh monocots. Glands are present on these scales that secrete a sticky mucilage, which probably has a protective function. Vessels in the conducting system are present in the roots only.

Flower stalks are leafless; the inflorescence is an umbel of pink flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter. An umbel of flowering rush may contain more than two dozen flowers, and they do not open simultaneously. Each umbel includes buds, freshly opened flowers and already withered flowers. A large, attractive flower has six perianth segments. The three inner segments are pale pink with thin raspberry veins, the three outer segments are reddish-green with a purple tinge. In the center of the flower are bright raspberry-colored pistils and stamens. Very decorative when in bloom. Flowers from June to August. The fruits of the flowering rush contain many air cavities, which prevent them from sinking and allow them to glide on the water surface. This is how the species spreads to new sites.

Planting: plant at a depth of 10 cm, although the plant can also grow in marshy soil along a pond bank. The best place for planting flowering rush is a sunny site with silty, fertile soil. It can tolerate temporary absence of standing water provided the substrate remains moist.

Care: flowering rush requires almost no care, but it can spread too vigorously, especially species plants. Therefore when planting it is recommended to limit the area occupied by this plant by some method. Divide the plant every two to three years, otherwise flowering quality declines.

Propagation: Cultivars are propagated only vegetatively — by dividing the rhizomes in spring or early summer. The multiplication rate of this plant is fairly high. It is also propagated by seed in spring.

http://ru.wikipedia.org/