Parrot alstroemeria (Alstroemeria pulchella)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Alstroemeria pulchella L.f.
Common name(s):	parrot alstroemeria, parrot lily

This weed is not known to be naturalised in Victoria

Habitat:

Habitats include: amongst tall trees, medium trees, in sand, clay, wet soil, edges of brooks, swamps, growing in cropland and in disturbed natural vegetation and wet sands (Spooner 2007). Persists in shady areas (Hussey et al.). Loose or sandy soils in shade to partially sunny, moist disturbed sites. Elevations of 0-100m asl. (eFloras undated). May be tender to cold climates (Avon Bulbs 2007). Shady sites in coastal districts (Harden 1994). Drought and frost tender Prefers a rich, well composted, moist soil in protected sunny positions. (Bodkin 1984).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; swampy scrub; freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; basalt grassland; alluvial plains woodland; riverine woodland/forest; freshwater wetland (ephemeral).

Colours indicate possibility of Alstroemeria pulchella infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Weak erect stems (Bodkin 1984). - Minimal impact i.e. can go anywhere.	l	m
2. Reduce tourism?	Produces clusters of dull red flowers on stems to one metre tall (Hussey). “A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). - Weeds not obvious to the average visitor.	l	m
3. Injurious to people?	No evidence of injurious characteristics. - No effects.	l	l
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). Mainly a weed of wetter sites and treed areas, this Alstroemeria pulchella is unlikely to damage cultural sites. - Moderate visual effect.	ml	m
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Wet soil, edges of brooks, swamps (Spooner 2007). - Little impact on water flow.	l	ml
6. Impact water quality?	“Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high”. Wet soil, edges of brooks, swamps (Spooner 2007). Alstroemeria pulcella is not an aquatic weed, but it is found in riparian zones, therefore may have some impact on water quality although this information could not be found, and is assumed to be low. - No noticeable impacts to either dissolved O₂ or light levels.	l	m
7. Increase soil erosion?	Rhizomatous (Spooner 2007). Tuberous-rooted (Hussey et al. 1997).v Rhizomes and tubers in soil increases stability. - Low probability of large scale soil movement.	l	m
8. Reduce biomass?	Rhizomatous (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Biomass may increase.	l	m
9. Change fire regime?	Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). No information on FIES (2009) website. Unknown.	m	l
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Montane Grassy Woodland (V); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = Monaro Tablelands; H CLIMATE potential. “A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one layer/strata.	ml	h
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Warm Temperate Rainforest (R); CMA = East Gippsland ; Bioregion = East Gippsland Lowlands; H CLIMATE potential. “A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one layer/strata.	ml	h
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Damp Forest (LC); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = East Gippsland Uplands; H CLIMATE potential. “A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Very little displacement of any indigenous species. Sparse, scattered infestations.	l	h
11. Impact on structure?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). - Minor effect on <20% of the floral strata/layers present.	l	m
12. Effect on threatened flora?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). Impacts on threatened flora have not been determined.	mh	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). Impacts on threatened fauna are not yet determined.	mh	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “The parrot lily produces foliage to one foot” (Avon Bulbs 2007). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Minor effects on fauna species, reduction in native habitat/shelter.	ml	m
15. Benefits fauna?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Provides very little assistance to desirable species.	h	m
16. Injurious to fauna?	No evidence of injurious or allergenic properties. - No effect.	l	l
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	No evidence that Alstroemeria pulchella is a food source for pest animals. - Provides minimal food for pest animals.	l	l
18. Provides harbor?	“A soft herb (ABRS 1994). “Clumping tuberous perennial herb to one metre high” (Spooner 2007). Habitats include disturbed swamp edges, open burnt paddocks, shady sites in coastal districts, amongst tall and medium trees, in sands and clay and croplands (Spooner 2007; Harden 1993). - Doesn’t provide harbour for serious pest species, but may provide food for minor pest species.	ml	m
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Not known to be a weed of agriculture. - Little impact on quantity of produce.	l	l
20. Impact quality?	Not known to be a weed of agriculture. - Little impact on quality of produce.	l	l
21. Affect land value?	Not known to be a weed of agriculture. - Little or none.	l	l
22. Change land use?	Not known to be a weed of agriculture. - Little or no change.	l	l
23. Increase harvest costs?	Not known to be a weed of agriculture. - Little or none.	l	l
24. Disease host/vector?	Brunt et al (1996) does not list Alstroemeria pulchella as a known host to disease/viruses. - Little or no host.	l	m

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	Specific germination requirements are unknown.	m	l
2. Establishment requirements?	Persists in shady areas (Hussey et al.). Loose or sandy soils in shade to partially sunny, moist disturbed sites (eFloras undated). Prefers a rich, well composted, moist soil in protected sunny positions (Bodkin 1984). - Can establish under moderate canopy/litter cover.	mh	m
3. How much disturbance is required?	Habitats include: amongst tall trees, medium trees, in sand, clay, wet soil, edges of brooks, swamps, growing in cropland and in disturbed natural vegetation (Spooner 2007). Found in shady sites, often near the coast (Richardson et al. 2006). Loose or sandy soils in shade to partially sunny, moist disturbed sites (eFloras undated). - Establishes in relatively intact or only minor disturbed natural ecosystems.	mh	mh
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Tuberous perennial (Spooner 2007). - Geophyte.	ml	m
5. Allelopathic properties?	None described.	l	l
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	No evidence suggests that this species is consumed by herbivores.	m	l
7. Normal growth rate?	Unknown.	m	l
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	May be tender to cold climates (Avon Bulbs 2007). Wet sands, edges of disturbed swamps (Spooner 2007). Shady sites in coastal districts (Harden 1994). Elevations of 0-100m asl. (eFloras undated). Drought and frost tender Prefers a rich, well composted, moist soil in protected sunny positions. (Bodkin 1984). - Tolerant to at least one, susceptible to at least two.	l	mh
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Propagation is by division (Bodkin 1984). No evidence of sexual reproduction. - Vegetative reproduction.	mh	m
10. Number of propagules produced?	Unknown, as there is no evidence of seed production.	m	l
11. Propagule longevity?	Unknown, as there is no evidence of seed production.	m	l
12. Reproductive period?	Perennial (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Mature plant produces viable propagules for 3-10 years.	mh	mh
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Perennial (Lazarides et al. 1997). - Two to five years to reach sexual maturity, or for vegetative propagules to become separate individuals.	ml	mh
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Vegetative reproduction (Bodkin 1984). - Propagules mainly spread by gravity	l	m
15. How far do they disperse?	Vegetative reproduction (Bodkin 1984). - Very unlikely to disperse greater than 200 metres, most less than 20 metres.	l	m

References

Atlas of Florida vascular plants. Available at http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1977 (verified 06 May 2009).

Avon Bulbs (2007). Available at http://www.avonbulbs.co.uk/alstroemeria-psittacina-(pulchella)_307_309.htm (verified 06 May 2009).

Flora of Australia online. Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6284 (verified 05 May 2009).

Historic Houses Trust. Available at http://collection.hht.net.au/firsthht/fullRecordColonial.jsp?recnoListAttr=recnoList&recno=25900 (verified 05 May 2009).

Hortiplex. Available at http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/p1/gw1001419.html (verified 05 May 2009).

Pacific Bulb Society. Available at http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Alstroemeria (verified 05 May 2009).

PlantNet (Harden 1994). Available at http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Alstroemeria~pulchella (verified 05 May 2009).

Plant Protection Society of Western Australia. Available at http://members.iinet.net.au/~weeds/western_weeds/alstoemeia_araceae.htm (verified 05 May 2009).

Spooner A (2007) Altroemeria pulchella in FloraBase, Available at http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/20755 (verified 05 May 2009).

Sydney Weeds Committee. Available at http://www.sydneyweeds.org.au/weed-alerts.php (verified 05 May 2009).

Weeds of the Lane Cove National Park, available at http://www.waratahsoftware.com.au/wp_flora_lanecove_weeds.html#row-5 (verified 05 May 2009).

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2008) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 28 May 2009).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 28 May 2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 28 May 2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2009) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 28 May 2009).

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 28 May 2009).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ verified 28 May 2009).

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