Download Dietes iridioides

Weeds of Australia - Biosecurity Queensland Edition Fact Sheet
Dietes iridioides
Scientific Name
Dietes iridioides (L.) Sweet ex Klatt
Synonyms
Dietes vegeta auct.
mass amenity planting (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
Family
Iridaceae
Common Names
African iris, butterfly iris, Cape iris, dietes, fortnight lily, rock iris, wild iris
Origin
Native to eastern and southern Africa (i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, eastern
Zaire, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa).
habit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
Naturalised Distribution
This species has recently become locally naturalised in south-eastern South Australia. It
is also sparingly naturalised south-eastern Queensland and southern Victoria, and
possibly also naturalised in the coastal districts of central New South Wales.
Notes
Wild iris ( Dietes iridioides) is regarded as a potential environmental weed or a "sleeper
weed" in many parts of southern Australia. It has been reported from urban bushland in
the Hornsby Plateau region to the north of Sydney Harbour and also from remnant
patches of native woodlands in the Maranoa Gardens in suburban Melbourne.
close-up of strap-like leaves (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
Note: this species is commonly confused with large wild iris ( Dietes grandiflora),
another emerging environmental weed.
Fact sheets are available from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
(DEEDI) service centres and our Customer Service Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check our website
at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control
methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal
and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method.
These restrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on
individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, DEEDI
does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions
based on it.
white flower with purple and yellow markings (Photo:
Sheldon Navie)
Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved. Identic Pty Ltd. Special edition of Environmental Weeds of
Australia for Biosecurity Queensland.
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close-up of immature fruit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
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close-up of mature fruit with seeds (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
seedlings germinating amongst adult plants (Photo:
Sheldon Navie)
habit from above (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
strap-like leaves (Photo: Sheldon Navie)
close-up of flower showing the purplish style branches and
plain white inner 'petals', which lack any markings (Photo:
Sheldon Navie)
close-up of young fruit subtended by two bracts (Photo:
Sheldon Navie)
young plant (Photo: Sheldon Navie)