Yellow Ixia - a weed (*Ixia maculata)

Family: Iridaceae (Iris family).

Native of South Africa.

Occurrence: Ixia is a fairly uncommon weed. It is a very troublesome weed in the Kaweka Wildflower Reserve, Castlemaine.

Identification:

• the leaves are coarse and grass-like
• the flowers appear to have six yellow petals (3 petals plus 3 sepals) with a darker throat
• it produces numerous small underground bulbs, each of which can grow to a new plant.

It is found in old gardens. It may spread from the dumping of garden refuse. Once established it is very difficult to remove.

Photos 1 and 2: Yellow Ixia. Kaweka Reserve, Castlemaine.