August 12, 2010 VICTORIA BEACH AND GRAND MARAIS FAMILIES TO GET MORE ACTIVE WITH $490,000 PROVINCIAL INVESTMENT IN NEW COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTRES Families and cottagers in the Victoria Beach and Grand Marais areas will benefit from $490,000 in provincial investments in two new community recreation facilities, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux and Housing and Community Development MInister Kerri Irvin-Ross, announced today. “The province is strongly committed to working with municipalities to enhance our communities, develop recreational facilities and encourage physical activity among residents of all ages,” said Lemieux. “This is reflected by our support for the Victoria Beach and Grand Marais projects and our commitment to double the level of provincial funding for community-based recreation facilities to over $60 million over four years.” “Community clubs are extremely important to neighbourhoods and the health and well-being of families, helping us get active and stay active,” said Irvin-Ross. “Manitoba children and youth are leading through activity, and we want to be part of the effort to provide more opportunities for Manitobans of all ages.”

Don’t Rush Out to Buy This Plant!

Flowering Rush is an attractive water garden plant that is considered invasive in Manitoba, but still sold in garden centers and on the Internet.

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus), a perennial aquatic plant native to Eurasia, was brought to North America in the late 1800’s for ornamental water gardens.   The first observations of this plant in Canada are from Montreal (ca. 1897) along the banks of the St. Lawrence.  Since that time it has quickly spread to naturalize wetlands, sedge meadows, streams, river banks, ditches, and lake shores from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.  It can be found growing in wet soil, shallow water, or under water.  In Manitoba, it has been observed at Patricia Beach, near Lockport, and along the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg.  The Invasive Species Council of Manitoba would like to find out locations of this plant across Manitoba.

Biology: Flowering rush grows and spreads primarily from thick, creeping rhizomes, and lesser through seed production.  Rhizomes also produce many small tubers (bulblets) that can break off to form new plants and follow water currents to infest new areas.  This plant is easiest to identify when it produces characteristic umbrella-shaped clusters of upright flowers.  Flowers are deep pink to white in color, 2 to 3 cm across, and on stalks.  Stems are 0.5 to 1.5 m tall and resemble bulrushes.  Leaves are on opposite sides of the stem, triangular with smooth edges and around 1 m long. 

Impacts: Flowering rush tends to colonize areas where new land is exposed as a result of lower water levels.  It grows aggressively, displaces native vegetation through its thick root system, and reduces biological diversity.  In areas of dense infestation, it can clog irrigation canals and interfere with boating and other recreational activities

Control/Prevention: Flowering rush is still widely available for purchase in garden centers and on the internet as a water garden plant.  The best method to control this invasive plant is to not buy it and plant it.  Removing Flowering rush by the roots is almost impossible without breakage or leaving fragments behind that form new plants.  Cutting below the water surface will not kill the plant, but will limit its abundance and nuisance.  Repeated cutting may also weaken the plant over time.  Removing all plant pieces is necessary to limit spread and should be dried and composted completely, away from water or wet areas.  Discarded plants should be burned or double bagged in garbage bags. 

Information: To report a sighting of this plant or to find out information on other aquatic invasive species, please visit www.invasivespeciesmanitoba.com.  Sign up for a free quarterly newsletter “Unwanted Invaders” produced by the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone (204) 232-6021.

Photo credits: plant, C. Fisher; flower, Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.