Pretty & poisonous: Cape Tulip - now is time to act

While its colourful flowers make Cape Tulip easy to spot in spring, waiting until then can mean missing the best opportunity for effective control.

"Cape Tulip is pretty but poisonous," Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Northern Acting Team Lead Emily Kakoschke.

"It contains toxic chemicals called glycosides that can seriously affect livestock, particularly cattle. In severe cases, it can even cause death," she says

Originally introduced from South Africa as an ornamental plant, Cape Tulip has escaped gardens and spread into paddocks, roadsides and native vegetation across parts of South Australia.

There are two highly toxic species found in our region: One-leaf Cape Tulip (Moraea flaccida) and Two-leaf Cape Tulip (Moraea miniata). While they look similar, both species pose the same threat to livestock and can spread rapidly if left unmanaged.

With favourable seasonal conditions and good soil moisture, Cape Tulip is now emerging in many areas. That makes this the ideal time for landholders to inspect their properties and start control programs.

"Control is most effective while plants are actively growing and before flowering," Ms Kakoschke said.

"Once Cape Tulip starts flowering, the window for treatment becomes very limited. Landholders who wait until the bright flowers appear may find they've missed the best chance to achieve effective control."

Cape Tulip presents an ongoing challenge because it grows from underground corms. These corms can remain dormant in the soil for many years before germinating when conditions are right.

"This is why early detection is so important," Ms Kakoschke said.

"The sooner new infestations are identified and treated, the better chance we have of preventing the weed from becoming established and spreading to neighbouring properties."

Landholders are encouraged to regularly check paddocks, fence lines and disturbed areas for emerging plants over the coming weeks.

To help with identification and control, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board has produced a Cape tulip control video, available on the Landscape South Australia Northern and Yorke website.

For advice on identifying or controlling Cape Tulip, or to report a suspected infestation, contact the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board on 8841 3444.