Report sightings of the flowering rush noxious weed

Today, we are highlighting the flowering rush noxious weed for National Invasive Species Awareness Week so our community can help identify and report this weed to keep it out of our waterways and minimize its damage to our environment. The flowering rush invades wetlands and streambanks and is a host plant to the organisms that cause “swimmer’s itch.” Leach Creek in Grand Junction is Colorado’s only known location of flowering rush infestations, making eradication possible.

Identification features of the flowering rush:

• Cluster of pink flowers with six petals
• Triangle-shaped leaves and round flowering stems
• Flowers July through September
• Perennial aquatic

Citizen reporting of new populations of the flowering rush is crucial in protecting our waterways from this harmful weed. 

Please report any suspected sightings to Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management at weed.pest@mesacounty.us or call 970-255-7121. Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management offers private property owners free management assistance with this weed.