What is this weed bulb?

11 years ago

This is some sort of bulb - all I know about it. It has colonized many vacant lots and other "waste" land in our town - it is blooming now and I see it all over. It has also colonized a flower bed of mine which is right next to the street & gutter. I think it must have washed down the gutter in the winter storms. I admit that I left it the first season, because it is pretty. HOWEVER, last year we dug it all out (we thought), only to see it come back like gangbusters this winter.

We are in No Cal, near the coast and the SF Bay. Mediterranean climate. It likes it here! I am hoping if I can identify it I will be able to learn better how to get rid of it! Two pics attached - the clump and a close up of blooms.

You can't see in these pics, but it has already jumped across the sidewalk into a bed on the other side. YIKES! Any thoughts appreciated.

Jackie

Featured Answer

jacqueline9CA
Original Author

11 years ago

It is not a crocosmia - we have those, and they are not invasive, and do not multiply in the night when you are not looking. The good folks at the Antique Roses forum just told me it is not Watsonia, either. It is a related So African bulb called Chasemanthe. I looked, and it is exactly right. It is related to crocosmia, and especially the leaves look similar, but Chasmanthe is on steroids, and planning on taking over the world soon.

Jackie

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Comments (10)

jacqueline9CA
Original Author
11 years ago
OK, I also posted this on the Antique Rose forum, because they are very prompt, and know everything. They have identified it (correctly, I believe) as Watsonia Meriana. Very invasive and horrible in my climate. Of course, it is native to So Africa, which makes sense.

Jackie
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
11 years ago
hmmm...I really think that it looks like a crocosmia, by the looks of the blooms in the stem.

See what I mean???....Crocosmia images Google

Crocosmia also blooms from bulb like corms,
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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
11 years ago
Thanks for the update. Those three things really look similar.

Sue
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
I agree they are not Crocosmia. However, Crocosmia can be invasive under the right conditions. They can be a real pain in British gardens and have escaped into the wild in some places.
vetivert8
11 years ago
Looks like Crocosmia/Montbretia.
This link could be useful: http://www.thecrocosmiagardens.net/5330362

For clearing - do not let any plant set seed.
Dig down deeply - anything up to ten inches - to remove the long chain of corms.
Be aware that some species actually send out runners and form new plants that way as well as the more common spawn and seed systems.
Maintain weeding pressure for several years - particularly if the runners have burrowed under any shrub roots.
Best removed as soon as the leaves show up - while they are in full growth mode. If you try in summer they take 'survival action' such as dropping bulblets.
Back-track upstream to see if you can remove the source of your infestation. It is very common here for Crocosmia bulbs to be shifted by flood waters and travel down river. They grow well in shingle and sharp sand. They are also quite happy to flourish in part shade though the flowering is sparse.

Good luck.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
Well, if it is a Crocosmia it isn't like any one I've ever come across. But if vetivert8 thinks it is I'd have to concede and assume it must be a type I've never seen. The flowers just don't look right to me and I couldn't see any on the slide show at the link which were similar.
vetivert8
11 years ago
Soooo - after stating my opinion with such firmness I had a second think... (blush)

Any chance that it could be Anigozanthos? I don't think they have pesky habits, yet, perhaps?

Though you said 'bulbs'. And that seed pod is so very Gladiolus/Crocosmia.

Slinks off apologetically...
vetivert8
11 years ago
Puff puff puff
Watsonia? Corms to the centre of the earth. Spear-like leaves. Can definitely be pesky. Could easily be flowering at this time of year in a mild climate.

Apologies for arriving with brain off.
v.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
You had me worried Veitvert - you're usually spot on and I doubted myself seriously there. Don't think it's Anigozanthos. I've only seen them a few times but I don't think it has those sheaves of leaves and aren't the flowers sort of furry?

Anyhow - it's a pain and dealing with it is probably the same as for any similar cormlet factory plant.