Environmental Weeds in Sydney North

• Noxious Weeds
• Other Significant Environmental Weeds
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Weed control

• Hand removal techniques
• Biocontrol

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Montbretia

Botanical Name: Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Family: IRIDACEAE  


Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council

Source: Weeds : Auld & Medd

 

Description:
 Originating from South Africa, Montbretia is an erect bulbous perennial up to 0.6m high. It dies down in autumn after flowering.

Leaves appear in Spring. They are bright green, flat and spear shaped arising from base of plant.

A long spike of small orange to red tubular flowers.

Each plant bears a string of flattened up to 14 or more corms under the ground. Each is capable of producing another plant.

Dispersal:
Frequently dumped on bushland edges, and can be dispersed by the movement of soil containing corms. Corms are also washed downstream. Spreads vigorously by corm production.

Impact on Bushland:
Competes fiercely with and displaces creekline native plants. The mass of corms in the soil contributes to the breakdown of creek banks. Thrives on soil affected by stormwater runoff. Responsible for serious habitat loss.

Control:

Manual: Hand pulling is not successful unless the soil is moist, as the leaves break away leaving the bulb in the ground
  Dig out deeply to remove all corms.
  Alternatively, leaves can be wiped with a neat glyphosate-based product.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.

Similar Species:

Suggested Alternatives:
Water ferns (Blechnum species), Saw-sedges (Gahnia species) to 2m, Jabobean Lily (Sprekelia formossissima) 45cm.

References:
Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland, Blue Mountains City Council and NPWS-Blue Mountains