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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|genus=Butomus
|familia=Butomaceae
|genus=Butomus
|species=umbellatus
|species=umbellatus
|taxo_author=L.
|flower_season=mid summer, late summer, early fall
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|image=Upload.png
|image=ButomusUmbellatus3.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=180
}}
}}
[[Image:Butomus umbellatus.JPG|thumb|250px|''The flowers of ''Butomus umbellatus'']]'''Butomus''' is the sole [[genus]] in the [[Monotypic|monogenetic]] plant [[family (biology)|family]] '''Butomaceae''', containing the single species '''''Butomus umbellatus''''', also known as '''flowering rush''' or '''grass rush'''.
The plant is a [[Rhizome|rhizomatous]], hairless, [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[aquatic plant]]. Its name is derived from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''bous'', meaning "cow", "ox" etc and ''tome'', a cut (the verb 'temnein' meaning "to cut"), which refers to the plant's swordlike leaves.
Other than suggested by its English common name, it is not a true [[Juncaceae|rush]]. It is native to [[Eurasia]] and grows on the margins of still and slowly moving water down to a depth of about 3 m. It has pink [[flower]]s. Introduced into [[North America]] as an [[ornamental plant]] it has now become a serious [[invasive species|invasive weed]] in the [[Great Lakes]] area. In [[Israel]], one of its native countries, it is an [[endangered species]] due to the dwindling of its habitat. It can also be found in [[Great Britain]] locally, for example Butomus umbellatus at [[Caldicot and Wentloog Levels]] otherwise known as Gwent Levels [[SSSI]]<ref>Natural World Magazine, Spring 2009, The Wildlife Trust, published by Think publishing</ref>
The plant has linear, pointed [[leaves]] up to 1 metre long, or more. The leaves are triangular in cross-section and arise in two rows along the [[rhizome]]/base. They are untoothed, parallel veined and twisted.<ref name="The Wild Flower Key">{{cite book |last=Rose |first=Francis|authorlink=Francis Rose |title=The Wild Flower Key |year=2006 |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co|isbn=978-0723251750 |pages=480-481}}</ref>
The [[inflorescence]] is [[umbel]]-like consisting of a single terminal [[flower]] surrounded by three [[cymes]]. The [[flowers]] are regular and [[bisexual]], 2 to 3 cm across. There are three petal-like [[sepals]] which are pink with darker veins. They persist in the [[fruit]]. The three [[petals]] are like the sepals but somewhat larger. 6 - 9 [[stamens]]. [[Carpels]] superior, 6 - 9 and slightly united at the base. When ripe they are obovoid and crowned with a persistent [[carpel|style]]. Ovules are numerous and found scattered over the inner surface of the [[carpel]] wall, except on the midrib and edges. [[Fruit]] is a follicle. The [[seeds]] have no endosperm and a straight embryo. It flowers from July until September.
Frequently cultivated as an attractive ornamental plant. In parts of Russia the rhizomes are used as food.
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Butomus umbellatus, Linn. Flowering Rush. Fig. 698. Rhizome thick: Lvs. 2-3 ft. long, iris-like, sheathing at the base, 3-cornered: fls. rose-colored, 25-30 in an umbel, on a long scape; sepals 3; petals 3. Summer. Eu., Asia, in still water. Prop, by division.
Butomus umbellatus, Linn. Flowering Rush. Rhizome thick: Lvs. 2-3 ft. long, iris-like, sheathing at the base, 3-cornered: fls. rose-colored, 25-30 in an umbel, on a long scape; sepals 3; petals 3. Summer. Eu., Asia, in still water. Prop, by division.
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