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Central QLD Coast Landcare Network

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ASPARAGUS FERN (WEED)

Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’, Fam. Asparagaceae


Wiry climbing or sprawling perennial with many arching stems 2-5m long, armed with recurved spines, less than 5mm long, tuberous roots that don’t reproduce.

Form or habit: Climbing or twining plant
Latex: Asparagaceae
Leaf: Simple Unknown
Reduced to scales. Cladodes (slender or leaf-like structures that function as leaves) are present in axils of the scale-leaves. Cladodes 2-5, narrow elliptic to linear, 15-25 x 2-3mm
Flower conspicuous: Inconspicuous
Flower colour: White to pinkish
Flower description: Tiny 3-4mm long: white to pinkish, borne on 4-10mm long racemes
Fruit conspicuous: Conspicuous
Fruit colour: Red
Fruit: Fleshy
Fruit description: Small one-seeded berries: red about 5-8 mm diameter. Seeds small round and black.
Habitat:
Distribution
Food source for:
Toxicity:
Origin: Africa
Weed: Yes
Weed status: Declared class 3
Notes: Spread by: Birds, garden waste and water; underground rhizomes. Invades/threats: Natural areas ‘anywhere’, highly invasive with severe impact. Notes: Introduced as garden ornamentals. A third declared species, Climbing Asparagus Fern (Asparagus africanus) has not been recorded in this region. NB Native Asparagus Fern(A. racemosa), is a local species that has 2-5 cladodes, 10-30 x <1mm. Asparagus Fern is a Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
Information sources: Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2011) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region.

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