Fumitory

Fumaria muralis
Family: Fumariaceae

Growth Habit: This prostate and scrambling plant has solid, hairless, grey/ green stems that can reach 1m in length. A single plant can cover one square metre. Foliage is soft and carrot-like.

Type of Plant: Fumitory is a climbing annual herb.

Flowers: Flowers occur in clusters of 10 to 15. They are tubular, pink with a blackish tip.

Fruit/Seed: Small, smooth fruits are produced on a short stalk. The fruits contain several tiny seeds.

Dispersal: Reproduces from seed with germination in autumn and spring.

Distribution: Fumitory most commonly occurs in crops, run down pastures, roadsides, home gardens and waste places.

Status: Undeclared in Tasmania.

Weed Impact:

  • It may compete strongly with crops, particularly cereals, vegetable and legume crops.

For further information contact the Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

Control Methods:

  • Grubbing (autumn, winter and spring). Small areas eg. Home garden. Ensure the taproot is removed.
  • Grazing (autumn, winter and spring). Block grazing with sheep is useful in controlling weeds such as fumitory. Avoid overgrazing.
  • Herbicide (autumn, winter and spring). Herbicides registered in Tasmania include metsulfuron, glyphosate, dicamba, MCPA and mecoprop.

N.B. Always check the herbicide label before use.