Black Flag

Black Flag 2.

Common name

Black Flag

Scientific Name

Ferraria crispa

Type of plant

Bulbs or Corms

About this weed

Black Flag is a perennial cormous herb that dies back over summer but sprouts again during winter. Originally from South Africa it was introduced as a garden plant grown for its unusual black flowers which individually last only one day. The flowers produce a strong odour. Each year the plant produces a large number of corms (up to 20 corms) before dying back over summer. The weed often produces large clumps of fleshy foliage and strappy leaves which are easily identifiable.

Description

This weed is a malodorous, cormous perennial growing to 0.6 m high. Flowers last for one day only and are pollinated by flies. Flowers produce a strong pungent scent. Generally Black Flag survives fire.

Impact on Bushland

If left will spread bushland and may compete with native plant communities. Each year plants produce new corms that are added to a column of dormant corms produced in previous years. There can be 15-20 corms in a single column.

Location

Occurs on the Swan Coastal Plain and through various areas in the South-West Province. It prefers road verges, dunes and wasteland sites.

Priority for removal

High: major threat to the conservation values of Banksia woodlands and South-West Province.

Management (hand)

Remove very small populations in degraded sites. Sift soil to find all corms.

Management (herbicide)

Spray 2,2 DPA 10 g/L + Pulse when flowering. In degraded sites try glyphosate 1% + metsulfuron methyl 0.2 g/15 L + Pulse. It takes a number of years to control populations. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimum treatment is in August and September.

Flowering month/s

August, September, October

Flower colour/s

Purple, Black, Brown

Information source

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1515

Additional information

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.

Black Flag images


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Location

Urban Bushland Council WA Inc

2 Delhi Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

(08) 9420 7207 (please leave a message)