Invasive Species Ireland > Species Accounts > Established > Terrestrial > Montbretia

Montbretia

Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora

Overview

Photo credit: ©Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Montbretia - Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Description:
  • It is a herb, measuring 25-50cm tall, with striking orange flowers. The winkled brown seeds are usually not viable. It can spread vegetatively by rhizomes and corms.
  • It is a horticultural hybrid of 2 Crocosmia species, native to South Africa.

Download N.I.E.A. ID guide

Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
  • It was hybridised in South Africa, and spread by the horticulture trade across the world.
  • It is found in the Central African Republic, Réunion, Rwanda, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Austria, Czechia, France, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, Dominican Republic, the United States, Haiti, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.
Potential or Known Impacts:
  • It has the potential to spread into grasslands, roadsides, forests, and riparian areas, where it can compete with native understory or ground vegetation.
  • Dense colonies prevent the regeneration of native vegetation as they smother seedlings.
  • Streambanks are at risk of collapse as Montbretia corms may become very heavy and destabilising.
How did it get here?
  • It was introduced as a horticultural/ornamental hybrid. It has escaped from gardens, and may reach new habitats through careless garden waste disposal, and through waterways.
Is it found in  Northern Ireland?
  • It is found in Northern Ireland.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for Prevention:
  • Avoid buying this species.
  • Can control manually as small areas can be controlled by digging out and disposing of entire plants, corms ad rhizomes.
  • Herbicides may be used to control sites if they are away from native plants and watercourses.
  • Report all sightings.
For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk

Species Related Files:

Download FileNIEA ID Guide Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Montbretia
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Invasive Species Northern Ireland

Invasive Species Northern Ireland