Key identifying traits
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Freshwater aquatic plant
resembling a large sedge
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Leaves are sword shaped, narrow
and triangular in cross section
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Flowering stems are fleshy and
spirally twisted
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Showy, pink flowers grow in
umbels at ends of stems (but not all plants flower) June-August
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Grows as a shoreline emergent
plant with upright, stiff foliage or as a wholly to partially
submersed plant with flexible leaves
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Fleshy, rhizomatous roots with
“bulbils”
Biology and ecology
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Perennial plant reproducing by rhizomes, bulbils and, possibly,
seeds
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Grows
along muddy shores of lakes, streams, ditches, but can grow out
into water as deep as 20’ and be totally submersed
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It is the single member of
it’s family-it is not a true “rush”
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It is
native to Eurasia
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; looks like a large grass or sedge-must
learn to distinguish
Biological –
No known biological control in our area
Cultural –
Does not seem to invade healthy shoreline communities as quickly as
disturbed sites, but it can still invade
Mechanical –
Digging and covering control trials are currently underway-it may be
difficult to remove all root parts. Raking and cutting are not
effective
Chemical –Plants that are
mostly above water are more susceptible to foliar treatment with
aquatic herbicides, but control has been inconsistent. Trials are
underway in Montana, Idaho and WA.
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Photo Jenifer
Parsons, WA DOE |
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Where found –
Found
along shore and well out into the waters of Lake Spokane in 2010.
Also found in Whatcom, Benton, Yakima and Pend Oreille counties.
Large infestation in Flathead Lake, MT and smaller populations
elsewhere in the state and in Idaho.
MSdoc
PDF |
