White cape tulip (Moraea ochroleuca)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Moraea ochroleuca (Salisb.) Drapiez
Common name(s):	white cape tulip

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

Occurs naturally on the rocky sandstone slopes in the winter rainfall area of north-west and south-west Cape Region of South Africa. (Brown and
Paczkowska 2006). Habitat: amongst medium trees, low shrub lands and winter-wet flats (Spooner et al. 2007). Habitats include beside drains, road verges, amongst medium trees, low shrub lands, disturbed natural vegetation, in paddocks (Spooner et al. 2007).

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:
Broadacre cropping; forestry; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation; water

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; damp forest; wet forest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; western plains woodland; basalt grassland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box

Colours indicate possibility of Moraea ochroleuca 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?	35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). Not known to be an aquatic or riparian weed. - Minimal or negligible impact.	L	M
2. Reduce tourism?	35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). Moraea ochroleuca possesses and unpleasant smell (Pacific Bulb Society 2009; Fernkloof 2009). - Minor effects to aesthetics (smell).	ML	M
3. Injurious to people?	Moraea ochroleuca possesses and unpleasant smell (Pacific Bulb Society 2009; Fernkloof 2009). Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999) – may also be harmful to humans. - Extremely toxic and/or causes allergies to humans all year round.	H	MH
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Moraea ochroleuca possesses and unpleasant smell (Pacific Bulb Society 2009; Fernkloof 2009). Scent of flowers may create a negative aesthetic effect, but structurally unlikely to cause any damage. - Moderate visual effect.	ML	M
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	Not an aquatic or riparian plant, therefore unlikely to impact upon water flows. - Little or negligible impact on water flow.	L	M
6. Impact water quality?	Not an aquatic or riparian plant, therefore unlikely to impact upon water quality. - No noticeable effects on dissolved O2 or light levels.	L	M
7. Increase soil erosion?	Habitats include beside drains, road verges, amongst medium trees, low shrublands, disturbed natural vegetation, in paddocks (Spooner et al. 2007). Annual flowers, perennial corms (Harden 1993; Manning and Paterson-Jones 2008). - Moderate probability of large scale soil movement.	L	L
8. Reduce biomass?	Habitats include beside drains, road verges, amongst medium trees, low shrub lands, disturbed natural vegetation, in paddocks (Spooner et al. 2007). - Biomass may increase.	L	M
9. Change fire regime?	Flowers only after fire (Manning and Paterson-Jones 2008). Impacts on fire regime are unknown.	M	L
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Sand Heathland (V); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion = Dundas Tablelands; VH CLIMATE potential. 35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer.	ML	H
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Herb Rich Foothills forest (D); CMA = Goulburn Broken; Bioregion = Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. 35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). - Minor displacement of some dominant or indicator species within any one strata/layer.	ML	H
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Grassy Dry Forest (LC); CMA = North East; Bioregion = Highlands Northern Fall; VH CLIMATE potential. 35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). - Very little displacement of any indigenous species, sparse scattered infestations.	L	H
11. Impact on structure?	35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). There is no evidence to suggest this species forms monocultures or displaces native species in any way, therefore vegetation structure is unlikely to be greatly impacted. - Minor or negligible impacts on 20% of the floral strata/layers present; usually only affecting one of the strata.	L	M
12. Effect on threatened flora?	Effects to threatened flora are unknown.	MH	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). - Minor affects, minor hazard.	ML	MH
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001) - Minor effects on fauna species; minor hazard.	ML	MH
15. Benefits fauna?	35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). - Provides some assistance as shelter for desirable species.	MH	MH
16. Injurious to fauna?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). - Toxic and/or causes allergies.	H	MH
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001) - Provides minimal food for pest species.	L	MH
18. Provides harbor?	35-75 cm in height (Spooner et al. 2008; Harden 1993). There is potential for this species to provide some shelter, possibly for major pest species. - Doesn’t provide harbour for serious pests, but may provide harbour for minor pest species.	ML	M
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). There is no evidence of this species contaminating agricultural produce, but it can cause fatalities to livestock. - Serious impacts on quantity (e.g. 20% reduction). Unviable to harvest stock.	H	MH
20. Impact quality?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). Presence of this plant in pasture will have heavy impact on stock, and may cause deaths, therefore reducing quantity of livestock and also reduced health of livestock. - Serious impacts on quality (e.g. <20% reduction. May be unviable to harvest stock.	H	MH
21. Affect land value?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). Presence of this weed in pasture would mean that livestock are unsafe, and therefore cannot graze in the infested area. Until the infestation is cleared the area will be unviable to support crops. - Major significance >10%.	H	MH
22. Change land use?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). ‘For large infestations treatment will have to be repeated for a number of years until the soil-stored corm stock is exhausted’ (Muyt 2001). - Downgrading of the priority of the land use, to one with less agricultural return.	MH	MH
23. Increase harvest costs?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Plants are poisonous to livestock with death commonly occurring within days’ (Muyt 2001). ‘For large infestations treatment will have to be repeated for a number of years until the soil-stored corm stock is exhausted’ (Muyt 2001). - Major increase in time or labour, or machinery in harvesting.	H	MH
24. Disease host/vector?	Brunt et al. (1996 onwards) do not list Moraea ochroleuca as a host to disease. - Little or no host.	L	MH

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	‘Flowering only after fire’ (Manning and Patterson Jones 2008). Occurs naturally on the rocky sandstone slopes in the winter rainfall area of north-west and south-west Cape Region of South Africa. (Brown and Paczkowska 2006). - Requires unseasonal or uncommon natural events for germination (e.g. fires).	ML	MH
2. Establishment requirements?	Habitat: amongst medium trees, low shrublands and winter-wet flats (Spooner et al. 2007). - Requires more specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space, bare ground access to direct rainfall).	ML	M
3. How much disturbance is required?	Habitats include beside drains, road verges, amongst medium trees, low shrublands, disturbed natural vegetation, in paddocks (Spooner et al. 2007). - Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. roadsides, wildlife corridors, or areas which have a greater impact by humans such as campsites and tourist areas) or, in overgrazed pastures/poorly growing crops.	ML	M
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Grass-like herb (Spooner et al. 2007). - Geophyte.	ML	M
5. Allelopathic properties?	No evidence of allellopathic properties (Rice 1984). - None.	L	MH
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	Poisonous to mammals (Wiersema and León 1999). Moraea ochroleuca possesses and unpleasant smell (Pacific Bulb Society 2009; Fernkloof 2009). - Favoured by heavy grazing as not eaten by animals, or under biocontrol program in New Zealand or Australia.	H	MH
7. Normal growth rate?	Not enough information – growth rates unknown.	M	L
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	Habitats include winter-wet flats (Spooner et al. 2007). ‘Plant the corms in well drained, humus rich soil in full sun’ (Eurobulb 2008). Occurs naturally on the rocky sandstone slopes in the winter rainfall area of north-west and south-west Cape Region of South Africa. (Brown and Paczkowska 2006). -May be tolerant of one stress, susceptible to at least two.	L	ML
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	Muyt (2001) mentions that similar Moraea species Moraea flaccida and Moraea miniata reproduce by underground corms, it is likely that Moraea ochroleuca is similar in this respect. - Vegetative reproduction.	MH	L
10. Number of propagules produced?	Other Moraea species are known to produce 7000 corms per square metre of soil (Muyt 2001). 20-50 ovules per cell, 3 cells per ovary (Spooner 2008). - 1000-2000.	MH	ML
11. Propagule longevity?	One-leaf cape tulips (Moraea flaccida) corms remain viable in the soil for over 5 years (Muyt 2001); propagule longevity of Moraea ochroleuca is uncertain, but may be similar. - Unknown.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	Annual flowers, perennial corms (Harden 1993; Manning and Paterson-Jones 2008). - Mature plant produces viable propagules for 3-10 years.	MH	M
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	Annual flowers, perennial corms (Harden 1993; Manning and Paterson-Jones 2008). - Produces propagules between 1-2 years after germination, or vegetative propagules become separate individuals between 1-2 years.	MH	M
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	Dispersal mechanisms unknown.	M	L
15. How far do they disperse?	Dispersal distances unknown.	M	L

References

Brown K and Paczkowska G (2006) Managing Weeds in Bushland leaflet. Available at www.dec.wa.gov.au/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,1/gid,2845/task,doc_download/ (verified 07 May 2009).

Brunt AA, Crabtree K, Dallwitz MJ, Gibbs AJ, Watson L, Zurcher EJ (eds.) (1996 onwards) Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database. Version 20th August 1996. Available at http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/ (verified 05 May 2009).

Fernkloof Nature Reserve (2009). Available at http://fernkloof.com/species2.mv?Moraea%20ochroleuca (verified 07 May 2009).

Harden GJ. (1993) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, UNSW Press.

Manning J, Paterson-Jones C (2008) Field Guide to Fynbos. Published by Struik.

Muyt A. (2001) Bush Invaders of South-East Australia: A Guide To the Identification and Control of Environmental Weeds Found in South-East Australia. R.G. and F.J. Richardson. Meredith

Pacific Bulb Society (2009) Homeria Two. Available at http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/HomeriaTwo (verified 06 May 2009).

Rice EL. (1984) Allelopathy. Academic Press, Inc. Orlando.

Spooner A, Carpenter J, Smith G, Spence K (2008) Moraea ochroleuca (Salisb.) Drapiez in FloraBase, the Western Australian Flora. Available at
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/19438 (verified 06 May 2009).

Wiersema JH, Leon B (1999) World Economic Plants. Published by CRC Press.

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 05 May 2009).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2009 Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 05 May 2009).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2009 w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 05 May2009).

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 05 May 2009).

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. (2003 Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria. Available at http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_information/viclist (verified 05 May 2009).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [OnlineDatabase]. Taxonomy Query. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 05 May 2009).

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