14 Jan Montbetia
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
This pretty bulb invades bushland, roadsides
streams banks and even gardens. They
tolerate full sun, moist areas, frost, shady and
windy conditions. Takes over and displaces indigenous grasses and ground covers.
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa
Habit: Erect deciduous perennial herb to 0.9m.
Leaves: Basal linear strap like flat leaves around 30-80cm long and 1-2
cm wide die down in autumn after producing its seeds, and
reappear in Spring.
Flowers: Orange yellow tubular flowers are formed solitary in spike
inflorescences on short wispy unbranched stems during Summer.
Fruit: Produces large amounts of seed.
Roots: Globular corms live and produce plants for two years or more,
and new corms are formed annually, Long rhizomes are also
produced, each of which grows into a new plant.
Dispersal: Roots, rhizomes, corms and seed spread by humans,
contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and
garden refuse dumping.
Control: Difficult. Hand dig, ensuring all corms are removed. Extensive
follow-up required. Foliar spray with penetrant when flowering.
