Cape tulip

Cape tulip is a perennial plant belonging to the iris family. It can grow up to 90cm tall and with 1-3 strap-like, drooping leaves growing from the base. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and livestock.

Description

• The leaf arches from the stem then lie almost flat on the ground.
• Upper side of the leaf is shiny green and curled downwards at the edge. The underside is bluish-green.
• Flowers are 5cm in diameter and have 6 petals, usually salmon pink occasionally with a yellow centre.
• They are most visible from September to November, with each flower only lasting 1 – 2 days.
• Seeds are triangle in shape and in narrow, green capsules, up to 5cm long.

Seeds are dispersed by gravity, wind, water and animals. Vegetative spread from corms (underground storage structures). Human-mediated dispersal is typically through the dumping of garden waste and the movement of contaminated soil, vehicles, livestock and machinery.

Habitats include gardens and pasture where it has escaped from a neighbouring garden. It can readily grow in open environments such as grassland and wasteland.

What you need to know

All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous to both humans and livestock, especially the leaves.

Cape tulip can establish dense colonies over wide areas of pasture and is difficult to control once established. Corms may be abundant and occur to a depth of 30cm. They can remain dormant in the soil, in a viable state, for at least eight years.

Management approach

Cape tulip is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of cape tulip yourself as this could spread seeds or corms. Report all suspected sightings to MPI on the Exotic Pest Hotline at 0800 80 99 66 or the online reporting form.