14 Jan Wild iris
Dietes bicolor, Dietes iridioides
Highly tolerant of poor, dry soils and grows
in a wide range of conditions.
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: South Africa
Habit: Perennial rhizomatous clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves.
The adult plant is approximately 1m wide and 1m tall.
Leaves: Leathery, sword shaped, strappy leaves 1-2cm wide to 60cm
long; arranged in flat fans.
Flowers: Short-lived, iris-like flowers that are either white, yellow and
mauve or yellow with brown spots produced Spring-Summer.
Fruit: Green, three-celled capsule containing numerous hard angular
seeds 1-2mm in diameter.
Roots: Rhizomatous and fibrous, will re-shoot from any rootstock
left in soil.
Dispersal: Seed is spread by water, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving
equipment, car tyres etc) and garden refuse dumping.
Control: Hand pull/dig, Foliar spray.
A recent addition to weed lists in Sydney,
these plants need active management
in all gardens. This may be as simple as
actively removing spent flower stalks
prior to seed set, or as comprehensive
as complete removal from gardens.
