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Melasphaerula graminea

Flowers. Sep 2006.<br>Photographer: Peter J de Lange, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.

Fruit. Oct 2006.<br>Photographer: Peter J de Lange, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.

Bastia Hill, Whanganui. Sep 2012.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Front-on view of flower. Bastia Hill, Whanganui. Sep 2012.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

Fruit. Bastia Hill, Whanganui. Sep 2012.<br>Photographer: Colin C. Ogle, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>

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Biostatus

Exotic

Conservation status

Not applicable

Structural class

Herbs - Monocots

Flower colours

White, Yellow

Detailed description

Small corms which produce off-sets. Foliage grass-like, distichous at base. Flower stems delicate, flowers distantly arranged, small, cream, lobes 6-9 mm long.

Similar taxa

Nothing similar in the NZ flora, native or adventive.

Detailed taxonomy

Genus

Melasphaerula

Family

Iridaceae

Authority

Melasphaerula graminea (L.f.) Ker Gawl.

Synonyms

Melasphaerula ramosa (L.) N.E.Br.

Endemic family

Ecology

Year naturalised

?1989 (certainly 2006)

Reason for introduction

Horticultural

Control techniques

If grown as an ornamental plant, keep it confined to a pot and remove all spent flower heads before they have ripe seed.

Life cycle and dispersal

Fast-growing (can flower one year after establishment from seed or corms). Potentially a very invasive weed.

Propagation technique

Cormlets or seed

Other information

Etymology

graminea: Grassy

Referencing and citations

References and further reading

Ogle, C.C., La Cock, G.D. (2019). Additional records and observations of monocotyledons naturalised or casual in Manawatu Ecological Region, New Zealand, 1980–2019, Perspectives in Biosecurity 4, 5–31.

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