Rhizomatous, perennial, herb, to 0.35 m high. Fl. white, Aug to Nov. White or grey sand. Coastal dunes.
Alternative Names. Strapweed, False Onion Weed.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Wind, water. Toxicity. Poisonous to mammals.
Notes. Major weed of coastal dunes and is spreading inland. Fleshy leaves are able to spread over the sand surface and may be up to 1 m long,making older plants competitive for space. Has variable fruit set, affected by the age of plants and weather conditions. Has adaptions for dispersal by wind and water. Wind dislodges and carries crowns of mature infloresences acting as a tumbleweed, spreading numerous small seeds. Germination is inhibited by light, a response to blowing sand habitats where germination on the dry surface could prove detrimental.
Additional information. Origin. South Africa. Similar exotic species. Asphodelus fistulosus.
Suggested method of management and control. Manually remove isolated or small infestations prior to flowering. Wipe with 50% glyphosate solution before flowering. For dense infestations in degraded areas spot spray 0.4 g chlorosulfuron plus 25 ml wetting agent in 10 L of water when plants actively growing. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.
Calendar Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Active Growth | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||
Germination | U | U | U | U | U | ||||||||
Flowering | O | O | O | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
Fruiting | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
Manual Removal | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
Herbicide Treatment | Y | Y | Y | O |
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.