Onion Grass

Onion Grass

Onion Grass

Romulea rosea


Perennial. The green unripe fruits appear in late spring on a downward curving stalk. This may assist in seed dispersal. A common weed of gardens, bushland, crops, pastures and roadsides.


Details Description
Type
Graminoid
Group
Iris
Identifying Characteristics

A graminoid to 20 cm with tough and wiry grass-like leaves. The six-petalled flowers are pink with a yellow centre and dark striations and appear near the base of the plant. Flowers in spring.

Distinctive Features

Bright pink flowers.

Life Form Group
Graminoid
Life Form Codes
Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid (MTG)
EVC types
EVC 125: Plains Grassy Wetland
EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_62: Lighter-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_63: Low-rainfall Plains Grassland
EVC 175: Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 649: Stony Knoll Shrubland
EVC 68: Creekline Grassy Woodland
EVC 803: Plains Woodland
Native Status
Introduced
Weed Status Invasiveness
High INVASIVE
Weed Status Impact
Low IMPACT
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Iridaceae
Genus
Romulea
Species
rosea
Onion Grass
Native to South Africa. Naturalized in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Endangered Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.