14 Jan Asparagus – climbing
Protasparagus plumosus, Protasparagus setaceous
A very popular indoor plant because of its ability
to withstand low light and neglect, this plant
is naturalised in sheltered sites and rainforests
infesting many hectares on the NSW coast.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: South Africa
Habit: Tough, perennial, wiry, twining climbing vine with occasional
spines and fine, feathery fern like foliage.
Leaves: Fine, feathery, leaf-like cladodes arranged in horizontal sprays.
Flowers: Flowers are small, greenish-white and arranged at the tips of
branches in Summer.
Fruit: Bluish-green berries to 0.5cm across that turn black when ripe
in Autumn.
Roots: A tough, woody crown is forged at base of stems, with a
comprehensive fleshy root mass radiating out from the crown.
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.
