Scientific name: Butomus umbellatus L.
Common name: Flowering rush
Description
Habit: Perennial aquatic herbs, 70-150cm high, rooted in mud, emergent through water, with creeping rhizome.
Leaves: All basal, simple, entire, alternate, erect, twisted, very long, up to 150cm x 10mm, narrowly linear and 3-angled; sheathing at the base; without stipules; peduncles usually overtopping the leaves.
Flowers: In a terminal umbel, 20-25mm across, bracts at base; perianth segments 6, in two whorls of 3, the outer whorl, smaller and tinged with green; the inner whorl, larger and pinkish-white; ovary superior, composed of 6 free carpels, style 1, stigma slightly bilobed; stamens 9.
Fruits: A group of 6 follicles.
Habitat: Rivers, canals and lakes. Still or slow-moving water.
Distribution: Rare.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: No