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{{Inc|

{{Inc|

Lachenalia reflexa, Thunb. (Caelanthus complicatus, Willd.). Bulb globose, 3/4, in. or less diam.: lvs. 2, thin, falcate, clasping the base of the st. for 1-2 in.: peduncle and infl. 2-6 in. long; spike usually few-fld., the rachis flexuose; fls. all erect or spreading, yellowish, about 1 in. long; inner segms. slightly longer than the outer and spreading at the very tip; stamens included, but style becoming exserted.—L. Regeliana is a hybnd of this and L.tricolor var. aurea.

'''''[[Lachenalia]] reflexa''''', Thunb. (Caelanthus complicatus, Willd.). Bulb globose, 3/4, in. or less diam.: lvs. 2, thin, falcate, clasping the base of the st. for 1-2 in.: peduncle and infl. 2-6 in. long; spike usually few-fld., the rachis flexuose; fls. all erect or spreading, yellowish, about 1 in. long; inner segms. slightly longer than the outer and spreading at the very tip; stamens included, but style becoming exserted.—L. Regeliana is a hybnd of this and L.tricolor var. aurea.

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'''''Lachenalia reflexa''''', commonly known as '''Yellow Soldier''', is [[species]] of the  [[genus]] [[Lachenalia]] native to [[South Africa]].

Can become a serious weed.{{wp}}

== South Africa ==  

==Cultivation==

The species is a native to South Africa, particularly in Cape Province.  The plant flourishes where there is a winter rainfall and becomes dormant during dry seasons.

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== Australian weed ==

===Propagation===

In [[Australia]], the species is an introduced [[weed]]. The Yellow Soldier species is so dangerous to natural [[flora]] and [[fauna]] that it has been placed on the national weed alert program, one of only 28 weeds to be recognised as extremely dangerous to natural bushland.

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===Seed dispersal===  

===Pests and diseases===

Reaching approximately 10cm (4") when in flower, this weed spreads through two main methods, both of which lend to its common name.

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The first of these two methods is simply dropping the seeds of the plant up to 20cm (8") away from the base of the original plant. Given that each flower produces between 40 and 60 seeds, and that each plant can produce up to ten flowers, the ability to spread is incredible. Yellow Soldier can grow in densities of up to 400 plants per square metre, with each plant capable of reaching full reproductive potential.  This density prevents native plants from reclaiming lost ground.

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The second method of seed dispersal is by clinging to the feet of native animals and humans. The small, black seeds become stuck in between the toes of animals and humans or in the tread of shoes. When the seed is eventually jolted out of its position, it falls to the ground and begins to germinate. Within two years it will have reproduced enough times to reach optimal density in a square metre, and gains another square metre or two every year from then on, with a possibly [[exponential growth]] rate.

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Yellow soldier is presenting a problem in Australia where it is considered a pernicious introduced weed.

Image:Upload.png| photo 1

Yellow Soldier damages not only native flora, but fauna as well.  Its ability to completely dominate an area prevents native herbs and grasses from growing.  In turn, this eliminates food sources for native fauna, lowering fauna levels to the point of non-existence.

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

===Control Methods===

==External links==

The only effective way to remove Yellow Soldier is through spot-spraying of [[herbicide]]s. Once again, however, the ability to quickly germinate from seed means that multiple courses of spraying must be done in order to completely eliminate Yellow Soldier, and allow native species the chance to reclaim the soil. The herbicide used has been specially developed to kill only Yellow Soldier, but is very expensive, and can usually only be done through government funding. This prevents most environment and bush care groups from eliminating the species, and thus allowing it the chance to spread further.

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* [http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/documents/wmg_lachenalia.pdf  ''Lachenalia reflexa'' in Australia]