Cape Tulips (Moraea flaccida and Moraea miniata)

Background | The Project | Biological Control | Key People| Collaborators | Publications | More Information

Background

Both one-leaf Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida Sweet) and two leaf Cape tulip (Moraea miniata Andrews) have become major weeds in Australia since being introduced as attractive ornamental garden plants from South Africa. Previously these species were known as Homeria flaccida and Homeria miniata. Both have attractive orange or salmon pink flowers and were introduced into Australia in the mid-nineteenth century as ornamental plants.

By the early 1900s both species were established as weeds of pasture in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Cape tulip infestations are currently most extensive in parts of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Cape tulips are unpalatable to livestock. Cape tulip has also recently increased its invasion of native habitats and has the potential to be a weed of conservation importance.

Control options for Cape tulips include herbicides and cultivation with weed control occurring in the subsequent crop. However these control options are often not justified for economic reasons and access to waterlogged areas, where cape tulip often occurs, can be difficult. Biological control is an option that is currently being investigated, in particular for control against Cape tulip in Western Australia.

The Project

The main objectives of the project against Cape tulip is to identify potential biological control agents in the region of origin the Western Cape Province of South Africa and assess the risk associated with their introduction in Australia. Survey work for potential agents has been completed in South Africa during 1999 - 2001. Potential agents identified include weevils feeding on corms and Urodon species that feed on seeds. The most promising potential agent at present is the rust fungus Puccinia moraeae Syd. which affects the leaves.

Biological Control

Cape tulips are suitable targets for biological control because there are few close relatives among Australian native species and no related crops. The rust fungus Puccinia moraeae appears to cause significant damage to plants in its native habitat and has not been recorded outside the genus Moraea. Little is known of the biology of this rust. In the future it is planned to import the rust into quarantine for further studies including a description of the life cycle and host range tests.

Key People

Dr John K. Scott (CSIRO Entomology)
Researcher in Charge
Ph: +61 8 9333 6647
Fax: +61 8 9333 6646
Email: john.k.scott@csiro.au

Collaborators

Western Australian Department of Agriculture

Publications

Morrison, S.M. and Scott, J.K. (1995). Chromosome numbers of Cape tulips (Homeria species) in South Australia and Western Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly 10 (3), 96-98.

Background | The Project | Key People| Collaborators | Publications | More Information