Many Surf Coast farmers and residents know the poisonous introduced weed Cape Tulip (one-leaf) is a serious problem. All parts of Cape Tulip are toxic to humans as well as animals including cattle, sheep and goats.
Cape Tulip weed is present in the Winchelsea, Buckley, Wurdale, Modewarre, Moriac, Barrabool Hills and Paraparap areas with small outbreaks occurring in Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae.
It spreads easily from one area to another by the movement of seed or its underground stems which can get caught up in hay or silage.
Most common in pastures and larger gardens but also on roadsides and in grasslands where it replaces our valuable native grasses, numbers can expand rapidly following disturbance.
Early spring, when the weed is in flower, is the easiest time to identify and control Cape Tulip infestations.
Applying a suitable herbicide or manually digging and/or hand-pulling out the plant are the best methods in helping reduce the spread.
Surf Coast Shire Council is currently controlling Cape Tulip on municipal roadsides and other Council-owned or managed land, and is calling on land owners to play their part in stopping the spread.
Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, land owners are responsible for taking all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of Cape Tulip on their land.
Surf Coast residents can assist the control and eradication program by looking out for Cape Tulip on roadsides and Council-managed land, and alerting Council about those locations via the lodge a request page at or phoning Council on 5261 0600.
Winchelsea Ward Councillor James McIntyre said the control of Cape Tulip requires persistence.
“It grows from corms – which are underground stems – and produces new corms each year. Sixty per cent of the stems can remain dormant in soil and so spraying the leaves will not always kill them. Corms left underground can then take two to three years to flower – so this is a weed that requires persistent treatment to control,” Cr McIntyre said.
Fellow Winchelsea Ward Councillor Heather Wellington said spring is the time to tackle the weed.
“Herbicide treatment is effective when the plant has just flowered and weeding by hand can be effective when the soil is wet,” Cr Wellington said.
Cape Tulip Fast Facts:
- A pink-orange flowering bulb appears for a brief two to four week period in early spring, on roadsides and in paddocks.
All parts are poisonous to humans and stock if ingested.
Grows to about 70cm high with stiff, erect stems that zigzag as they branch.
The longer control is delayed, the more the weed will spread.
Important Control Measures:
- Manual control should be done wearing gloves. Any skin areas that come in contact with the weed should be washed as soon as possible.
Hand-pulling of small infestations is possible, particularly in softer, moist soil; try to remove as many corms as possible. A fork that assists loosen the soil can help pulling the corms to the surface
Any removed corms should be burned, or bagged and put in the garbage (not the green bin).
Chemical control using a registered herbicide just on flowering.
