Winterskloof Conservancy received the following note on the Formosa Lilies that are flowering at the moment, many can be seen on the hillside of World's View, as you drive down Old Howick Road from Hilton to PMB, just past Ketelfontein Reserve.The note is from Nikki Brighton of the Midlands Conservancies' Forum.
'Formosa Lily (Lilium formosanum) is flowering at the moment and there seem to be masses more than last year. These invasive plants from Taiwan have spread alarmingly over the past few years, seeding prolifically along roads. It also invades grasslands and wetlands transforming these habitats and replacing indigenous plants.With less than 3% of the original moist mist-belt grasslands formally protected, we can't afford to lose anymore.
The purplish brown stems reach 1,5 to 2 m high and are topped with up to 10 white trumpet shaped flowers flushed with burgundy on the outside. The 20 cm long funnel-shaped flowers are fragrant and have been widely cultivated in the past ' escaping from gardens to become a serious weed in the wild. The narrow linear leaves are shiny dark green.
Formosa lily is listed presently as a Declared Invader Category 3 plant which means it cannot be planted and needs to be controlled. Please go out and pick armfuls of these flowers before the seed heads carrying 1000's of seeds form and burst! Preferably, pull the whole plant out while you are about it.
SANBI, in conjunction with Working for Water is sending clearing teams to the Karkloof, Dargle and other areas soon.If you see an infestation that you can't handle, please report it to:Ntombifuthi Mthimkhulu by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or Vusi Mkhize by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.' Image and article submitted by Winterskloof Conservancy.