Bomarea multiflora
Common names
Bomarea
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Lianes - Monocots
Flower colours
Red/Pink, Yellow
Detailed description
A multi-stemmed vine in the lily family that twines around any available support. The stems arise from short underground rhizomes which bear numerous tubers. Flowers are clumped in a dense pendulous bunch of 15-20 together. Reddish on the outside and usually yellow with dark spots on the inside, the flowers develop into capsules about 2 cm in diameter. When ripe, these open to reveal bright orange seeds that are fleshy.
Habitat
Scrambling vine that appears to be shade tolerant but does best in full sun.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Alstroemeriaceae
Synonyms
Bomarea caldasii
Ecology
Flowering
March, April, May, June, July
Fruiting
May to August.
Year naturalised
1964
Origin
S. America
Reason for introduction
Ornamental.
Life cycle and dispersal
Perennial vine that may die back over winter when exposed to severe frost. Can reproduce by suckering from roots or by seed. Fleshy bright orange seeds are produced in capsules, likely dispersed by birds.
Other information
Etymology
bomarea: Named after a French botanist
multiflora: From late Latin, feminine of multiflorus meaning ‘bearing many flowers’
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.
Environmental Weed (2024)
This plant is named in a list of 386 environmental weeds in New Zealand 2024 prepared by DOC. 759 candidate species were considered for inclusion on this new comprehensive list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. The species considered were drawn from published lists of weed species, lists of plants that must be reported or managed by law if observed, existing national and regional programmes and agreements for pest management, and species already managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Candidate species were then assessed to see if they were fully naturalised and whether they have more than minor impacts in natural ecosystems. Read the full report here.