Asparagus fern - Asparagus aethiopicus

Origin


Behaviour

Description


Dispersal



Removal





Follow-up

A South African native. There are two main types of asparagus fern - this one that forms a ground cover and another finer climbing variety (protasparagus plumosus).

This weed is a garden escapee. It is invasive and poses a significant threat to bushland.

Multiple branches grow from a central woody crown. Branches grow to 60cm with a covering of small spines. The root system forms a dense mat of tuberous water bladders. Flowers are bell-shaped, white-pale pink clusters, flowering in late summer.

Humans: The main culprits either through planting as an ornamental or through dumping of garden waste and soil that contains the crowns. 
Birds:  Copious numbers of red berries are produced that are spread by birds.

Crown cutting: To remove this weed, gather all the fronds together (you’ll need gloves) to expose where they emerge from the crown. Cut the roots around the crown with a sharp spade or pruning saw and pull the crown out of the ground. It often comes out quite easily.
Take the crowns off site and dispose of in the green bin. There is no need to remove the water bladders.  If you can’t dig out the plant then remove all the berries (red and green) to prevent further spread of this weed.

Careful follow-up is needed as large numbers of seeds can remain viable in cleared areas.