Re: Weedy Nectaroscordium species in Calif?
- Subject: Re: Weedy Nectaroscordium species in Calif?
- From: J* M*
- Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 11:51:59 -0700
> This question may have been answered previously, but
> can anyone tell me the species name of the
> Nectarocordium which is the pernicious weed here in
> both northern and southern California? It appears to
> spread most readily by bulbils, as it spreads
> vigorously even when not allowed to flower, and the
> flower itself is very nondescript in appearance, with
> the foliage on young plants similar in appearance to
> chives, and older bulbs having taller and thicker
> leaves to perhaps 12~14" length. It is very difficult
> to eradicate, as even "Roundup" doesn't appear to
> phase it. (Similar to Oxalis pes-caprae).
David,
The name of the weed you are describing is Nothoscordum gracile (synonyms:
N. fragrans, N. inodorum of gardens). The generic epithet is Greek for
"false garlic". This evidently is a Mexican or South American native,
although it spreads so fast and so widely that its exact origin is obscure.
It has nothing whatever to do with the lovely Nectaroscordum (notice correct
spelling--no "i") genus that are bulbs native to southern Europe.
> I'd appreciate any advice on how to eliminate it, as
> well as an I.d. of the species. I assume this weed is
> familiar to the person originally posting this thread,
> and may account for the fear that this genus can
> strike upon a Californian gardener!
See above for confusion. This is not a Nectarosdordum!
In my 30-year-plus experience with this pestilence, there is no chemical
that works against Nothoscordum. Years ago, I even tried undiluted Roundup
dripped into the center of the plant with an eyedropper, but this only
killed the foliage. in a few months, it came back more luxuriantly than
ever from the bulbs.
The only way to defeat it is to remove the blossoms promptly before they set
seed and to dig each bulb individually with some of the soil around it and
dispose of it carefully so that the tiny bulbils don't disperse in the
process. This is a long term process that must be carried out consistently
and persistently--ALL YEAR LONG--for several years! Also, one must watch
carefully for tiny seedlings that come up in early spring from previous seed
crops. Above all, if you have it established in an area--DON'T MOVE THE
SOIL AROUND!
After seven years of constant work, I have almost eliminated it from Cynthia
Hall's garden. The only ones remaining are in the center of clumps of
daylilies and Siberian irises. When I dig these I set them on a sheet of
plastic and very carefully locate and eliminate the bulbs before proceeding
with dividing or letting any of the soil around the clump get away. I have
eliminated established bulbs completely from another large garden, but the
next-door neighbor has ignored it, so we still have to be eternally vigilant
for seedlings from their abundant seed crop.
John MacGregor
South Pasadena, CA 91030
USDA zone 9 Sunset zones 21/23
