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Service Notice

The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Friday, 1 January 2027 +08:00.

Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.
Tufted Grape Hyacinth

Reference
Gard.Dict. edn 8 (1768)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Bulbaceous, perennial, herb, to 0.5 m high. Fl. blue-purple/brown-cream-green, Oct to Dec. Loam.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 28 June 1994

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Boyup Brook, Nedlands.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Tassel Hyacinth.

General Biology. Growth form. Geophyte. Life form. Bulb. Reproduction. Offsets, seed. Dispersal. Water, soil, birds. Seedbank persistence. 1 to 2 years. Fire response. Generally survives with seedling recruitment occuring following fire.

Additional information. Origin. Africa, Asia, Europe. History of use/introduction. Garden escape.

Suggested method of management and control. Spray metsulfuron methyl 0.2 g/15 L + glyphosate 1%. Apply just before flowering. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Dormant Y Y Y                 Y  
Active Growth       Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y    
Flowering               Y Y Y      
Fruiting                 Y Y Y    
Optimum Treatment             Y Y Y        

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Doussia, M. A..& Thanosa, C. A. (2002) Ecophysiology of seed germination in Mediterranean geophytes. 1. Muscari spp.. Seed Science Research, 12: 193-201.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.