Montbretia
| Botanical Name | Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora |
|---|---|
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Origin | Artificial hydrid |
Identification
Stiff, leafy, clump-forming, 600-900 mm high, growing from corms. Flowers trumpet-like, reddish-orange, in a tall head 30 mm long and 40-50 mm diameter, with reddish-purple-brown bracts at flower origin. Flowers Jan-Feb. The ziz-zag axis of the flower stem is distinctive.Habitats
Streamside communities, forest and shrubland margins, flood plains, roadsides, gravel pits, wasteland, slips and light gaps. Common throughout, especially on roadsides.Impact to Biota and Ecosystems
Capable of forming extensive dense swards up to a height of 1 metre though it is usually seen as scattered colonies in Northland. Can cover hundreds of metres of open streamsides at a time. May displace Blechnum capense and other herb communities. Its current impacts are restricted at present. Specialised streamside herbs, ferns, bryophytes, etc. are likely to be impacted species.Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources
Dispersal routes are mainly streams, roadsides and sometimes farm hedges and railway lines. Vectors of dispersal are hoofed animals, water movement and probably graders, road maintenance machines etc. Sources of infestation were probably by dumping of garden rubbish containing corms.Management
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Management |
|
| Disposal |
Digging is largely futile as remaining corms or cormils resprout. |
| Chemical Control |
(i) Spray with Glyphosate mixed at 100 ml in 10 litres of water
with 20 ml of Penetrant. |
| Recommended Approach |
Target areas that might infest stream systems. Ensure follow up work is done to prevent re-infestation. Avoid using contaminated metal in track maintenance plus eradicate plant from an area prior to roadworks being carried out to avoid spread. |