14 Jan Asparagus – Bridal creeper
Asparagus asparagoides
Bridal creeper is widespread in Western
Australia, South Australia and Victoria. It is also
spreading in New South Wales and Tasmania. It
has the potential to spread further and increase
its density in all southern states.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: South Africa
Habit: Wiry twinning climber to 3 m in length and branch extensively.
Stems emerge annually in autumn from a mat, 0-10 cm deep.
Leaves: Bright green with alternate, flattened, shiny, stems (leaf-like)
that are pointed ovate shape and have parallel venation, leaves
4-30mm wide and 10-70 mm long which occur along the
length of wiry green stems.
Flowers: White, 6-petalled flowers, 5-8 mm in diameter, appear in
early Spring.
Fruit: Pea-sized green berries turning pink then red/burgundy in late
spring-early summer. Berries contain 1-9 seeds that are black
when mature.
Roots: Branching rhizomes that bear numerous fleshy tubers.
Dispersal: Seed spread by water, animals, birds, humans, contaminated
soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden
refuse dumping.
Control: Difficult to control - crowning, ensure that the crown is removed
off site. Remove and bag berries. Follow-up - hand -pull
all emerging seedlings. Foliar spray.
Similar Native Species: Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius)
