Montbretia Flower

Montbretia is considered an invasive alien pest and poses a risk to natural flora in the same way as Japanese knotweed or Himalayan balsam. It is a horticultural hybrid which was developed in France for ornamental purposes in the 1880s. 

Montbretia has two methods of reproduction: fertilisation of the flowers by insects (in some closely-related Crocosmia plants, by wind or birds) to produce seeds; and vegetative reproduction, where each plant produces stolons, or runners, that form new plants when roots and leaves grow from nodes.

Vegetative growth by stolons ensures local colonisation which can choke off other plants. Each individual montbretia grows from a corm, developing after the successful germination of seeds and the growth of the first colonising plant. It is likely that the casual disposal of corms, rather than the spread of seeds, allowed montbretia (coppertips) to be such a successful coloniser of natural habitats, frequently forming large and vivid clumps on embankments and in coastal regions

​

How To Identify Montbretia?

Leaves:  3cm wide, upright, flat, spear shaped and bright green, Smooth, upright leaves, usually present from spring to autumn; dead brown leaves are present throughout winter.  

Flower: up to 5 cm long and coloured deep orange. Blooms between July and September. 
 

Montbretia - Crocosmia x crocosmliflora ID Guide

Montretia Colm, Seeds, Leaves and Flowers

Why Is Montbretia A Problem?

Forms thick clumps which can displace indigenous specifies and reduce biodiversity.

​

Native plants and animals evolve together, forming close dependencies and relationships which break down when one is removed or replaced. 

The preservation of native plants and animals is crucial to maintaining the variety of life that make Ireland's woodlands and wild places so rich and diverse.