Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Gladiolus caryophyllaceus (Burm. f.) Poir.

Synonyms

Antholyza caryophyllacea Burm. f.

Family

Iridaceae

Common Names

pink gladiolus, pink trumpet flower, pink wild gladiolus, wild gladiolus

Origin

Native to southern Africa (i.e. South Africa).

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised in south-western Western Australia.

Notes

Pink gladiolus (Gladiolus caryophyllaceus) is an important environmental weed in Western Australia and is actively managed by community groups in this state. It is ranked as a moderately high priority species in the Environmental Weed Strategy of Western Australia, largely because it has the ability to invade native bushland that is in good to excellent condition.

Pink gladiolus (Gladiolus caryophyllaceus) is very common in urban bushland and banksia woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain. Naturalised populations also extend eastwards to Lake Grace, but the largest populations occur around Perth. For example, in Melville City, pink gladiolus (Gladiolus caryophyllaceus) is found extensively throughout the urban landscape and is often mistaken for native wildflowers.

This species is a common weed of the remnant "shrublands and woodlands of the eastern Swan Coastal Plain", an ecological system that is listed as endangered in Western Australia. It is also common in Lake Claremont Reserve, present in remnant bushland in Victoria Park, and is a dominant weed species in native plant communities in the Lightning Swamp bushland area.