106 Thames Reeds and Lilies 



river-side. The giant rush belongs to a different 

 family from that of the common rushes, in spite of 

 their general resemblance. It is the real bulrush, 

 though this name is now generally applied to the great 

 reed-mace, which is hawked in the London streets. 

 Most of the English names of these tall plants 

 are confusing, and well devised to obscure their real 

 relationships. Not only is neither species which 

 claims the name of bulrush really a rush, but the 

 scented rush, or sweet sedge, is closely related to 

 the arums, and is neither rush nor sedge. The 

 flowering rush belongs to a different family again, 

 and the bur-reed is not a reed, but a close ally of 

 the distinct reed-maces. Though the common 

 names are so involved, the plants themselves are 

 easy to distinguish. The scented rush is now 

 abundant along many reaches of the Thames, 

 though it has the reputation of being rather rare. 

 It is easily recognizable when in flower about 

 midsummer by the long spadix which protrudes at 

 an acute angle from the stem, and in shape is not 

 unlike the central column of the arum lily or the 

 wild cuckoo-pint. The whole plant has a strong 

 and sweet perfume when bruised ; if a boat is 

 driven into the midst of a bed of scented rushes 

 the fragrance of the crushed blades and flower 

 stems rises all about it on the air. The flowering 

 rush, which blooms in June and July, is one of 

 the most beautiful of the river- side plants, with its 

 cluster of pink blossoms at the summit of its lofty 

 stem. It is by no means rare on certain reaches of 

 the river. The reed-mace grows more often in the 



