1376

                                    Butomus  umbellatus L.

Synonym	:	Butomus umbellatus f. albiflorus F.Fromm.
Family	:	Butomaceae
Local name	:	English- Flowering rush
Flowering and fruiting period	:	July –Sepetember
Distribution	:	Africa, Asia, and Eurasia
Habitat	:	Marshes, Shores of lakes, ponds and riverbanks. It is intolerant of salt or brackish water
IUCN Status		: Least concern
Uses		Flowering rush tuber can be cooked. It should be peeled and the rootlets removed. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder; it can then be used as a thickener in soups etc, or be added to cereal flours when making bread. It contains more than 50% starch.
Key botanical characters: Flowering rush is described as a moderately tall, rush-like perennial. Its leaves are basal originating from a stout rhizome that is stiff and erect when immersed or lax and floating when in deep water. The inflorescence is a many-flowered umbel borne on a scape 1 to 1.5m tall. The flowers are perfect, regular, 2-3cm across, and pink. There are 3 sepals, which are petaloid. There are 3 petals, 9 stamens, with elongate anthers. Flowering rush has 6 pistils that are simple, whorled, and united at the base. The fruit is an indehiscent, many-seeded capsule .