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Fumaria muralis W.D.J.Koch
Wall Fumitory

Reference
Syn.Fl.Germ.Helv. edn 2, 1017 (1845)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Slender to robust, erect or climbing annual, herb or climber, 0.05-1 m high. Fl. pink-red/purple, Jun to Dec.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 21 May 1996

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Geraldton Hills, Katanning, Merredin, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren, Western Mallee.
IMCRA Regions
Leeuwin-Naturaliste, WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Armadale, Augusta Margaret River, Belmont, Beverley, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Cuballing, Denmark, Gnowangerup, Gosnells, Greater Geraldton, Harvey, Kalamunda, Katanning, Kulin, Mandurah, Manjimup, Melville, Northam, Pingelly, Plantagenet, Quairading, Ravensthorpe, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, South Perth, Stirling, Tammin, Wanneroo, Waroona, West Arthur.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Annual. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Contaminated seed, soil movement, water run-off. Seedbank persistence. 20 years.

Notes. Colonises degraded sites. Can germinate throughout the year, with the main flush in autumn and spring. Any soil disturbance can cause mass emergence of seedlings. Seed has an oil sack that attracts ants. May hybridise with Fumaria capreolata. Can be difficult to manage due to a persistent soil seedbank. Herbicide control can be unpredicatable and variable, with tolerance and resistance varying among species of Fumaria.

Additional information. Origin. Europe, north Africa. Similar exotic species. Fumaria capreolata.

Suggested method of management and control. Easily hand removed however this needs to be repeated at least every 10 weeks during the growing season. Continual germination and seedlings emerging after the disturbance of hand removal requires consistent follow-up. Spray metsulfuron methyl 0.1 g/15 L (2.5 g/ha) + wetting agent or try glyphosate at 0.5%. 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
Germination O O O Y Y Y Y Y Y Y O O  
Active Growth       O Y Y Y Y Y Y Y    
Flowering           Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  
Fruiting                 U U U U  
Optimum Treatment         Y Y Y Y O O O    

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.
  • Chancellor, R.J. (1996) Decline of arable weed seed under grass and the periodicity of seedling emergence after cultivation. Journal of Applied Ecology, 23: 631-637.
  • 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.
  • Moore, C.B. & Moore, J.H. (2002) Herbiguide, the pesticide expert on a disk. Herbiguide, PO Box 44 Albany, Western Australia, 6330.
  • Peltzer, S. & Matson, P. (2002) How fast do the seedbanks of five annual cropping weeds deplete in the absence of weed seed input. In 13th Australian Weeds Conference. Papers and Proceedings. 8th-13th September 2002 (eds. H. Spafford Jacob, J. Dodd & J.H. Moore). , Perth, Western Australia.