Wall Fumitory
Common name
Wall Fumitory
Scientific Name
Fumaria muralis
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
Wall Fumitory originally grew in Europe and northern Africa and is very similar to F. capreolata and the two may hybridise when together. It has pink to reddish purple flowers with blackish red tips.
Description
Fumeria muralis is a slender to robust erect or climbing annual to 1 m high. It reproduces by seed and dispersed by contaminated seed, soil movement, water run-off and ants. The seed as an oil sack that attracts ants. The seedbank persists for 20 years.
Impact on Bushland
As a creeper it tends to blanket local natives and is quick to flower and set seed soon after the first rains come. It can germinate throughout the year, with the main flush in autumn and spring. Any soil disturbance can cause mass emergence of seedlings. The challenge in urban bushland is to try to eliminate the germinating seedlings before they flower and set seed.
Location
Common in bushland on the Swan Coastal Plain and the South-West Province where it colonises gardens, coastal bushlands, degraded sites, wastelands and road verges from Moora to Albany. It is a particular problem in horticultural and cropping area.
Priority for removal
High: major threat to the conservation values of Banksia and Tuart woodlands. Can cause major structural changes to the plant communities that it invades.
Management (hand)
Easy to hand weed however this needs to be repeated at least every couple of weeks during the growing season. Continual germination and seedlings emerging after the disturbance of hand removal requires consistent follow-up. Any soil disturbance can cause mass emergence of seedlings. Can be difficult to manage due to a persistent soil seedbank.
Management (herbicide)
Spray metsulfuron methyl 0.1 g/15 L (2.5 g/ha) + wetting agent or try glyphosate at 0.5%. Any soil disturbance can cause mass emergence of seedlings. Herbicide control can be unpredictable and variable, with tolerance and resistance varying among species of Fumaria. Can be difficult to manage due to a persistent soil seedbank. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal months for treatment are March to August, but it can also be sprayed occasionally between September and November.
Flowering month/s
June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Flower colour/s
Red, Pink, Purple
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/2971
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
