infestation (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

climbing habit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

habit in fruit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

older stems (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

close-up of spines on stem (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

Weeds of Australia - Biosecurity Queensland Edition Fact SheetWeeds of Australia - Biosecurity Queensland Edition Fact Sheet

Asparagus africanus

Scientific NameScientific Name

Asparagus africanus Lam.

SynonymsSynonyms

Protasparagus africanus (Lam.) Oberm.

FamilyFamily

Asparagaceae (Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Western Australia)Liliaceae (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory)

Common NamesCommon Names

African asparagus, asparagus fern, climbing asparagus, climbing asparagusfern, ornamental asparagus, sparrowgrass, wild asparagus

OriginOrigin

Native to large parts of eastern and sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia,Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria,Senegal, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa) and the Arabian Peninsula(i.e. Saudi Arabia and Yemen).

CultivationCultivation

Climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) has been widely cultivated as a gardenplant, particularly in eastern Australia.

Naturalised DistributionNaturalised Distribution

This species is becoming widely naturalised in eastern Australia (i.e. in south-easternand central Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales). It is most common nearsettlements in south-eastern Queensland, particularly around Brisbane.

HabitatHabitat

Primarily a weed of sub-tropical regions, this species invades forests, rainforestmargins, open woodlands (particularly those near habitation), urban bushland, and inthe vegetation along waterways (i.e. in riparian areas). It is also common in disturbedsites and waste areas, along roadsides, and in parks and gardens.

HabitHabit

A long-lived (i.e. perennial) climber growing up over other vegetation (even over largetrees) or a sub-shrub with scrambling stems up to 3 m long.

Distinguishing FeaturesDistinguishing Features

a long-lived climber or scrambling sub-shrub with woody and prickly stems.

its stems bear short side-branches and with numerous tiny 'leaves' that givethem a ferny appearance.

these needle-like 'leaves' (6-15 mm long and only about 0.5 mm wide) areborne in small clusters.

its tiny white flowers, each with six 'petals', are produced in small clustersalong the branchlets.

its rounded berries (5-6 mm across) turn from green to orange, and becomesomewhat shrivelled, as they mature.

Stems and LeavesStems and Leaves

The stems are hairless (i.e. glabrous) and often bear thorns or spines (2-10 mm long).They usually grow in a twining fashion and bear numerous short spreading branches.

close-up of flowers (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

immature fruit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

mature fruit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

close-up of fruit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

seedling (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

native asparagus fern (Asparagus racemosus) also has aclimbing habit (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

large infestation (Photo: Biosecurity Queensland, QDPI&F)

The stems of older plants may become quite thick and woody.

The leaves are reduced to minute scales and what appear to be the 'leaves' are actuallysmall stem segments which function as leaves (i.e. cladodes). Several (7-12) of thesesmall bristle-like 'leaves' (6-15 mm long and only about 0.5 mm wide) are produced in acluster above each scale leaf. They are hairless (i.e. glabrous) and have sharply-pointedtips.

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit

The flowers are usually produced in small clusters, each containing several flowers, inthe forks (i.e. axils) of the scale leaves. They are borne on individual stalks (i.e. pedicels)5-10 mm long and have three sepals (2.5-4 mm long) and three petals (2.5-4 mm long).The sepals and petals (i.e. perianth segments or tepals) are very similar, whitish incolour, and appear to be six petals. The flowers also have six stamens (2-3.5 mm long),usually with white filaments and yellow anthers. Flowering occurs mainly during spring.

The fruit is a rounded (i.e. globular) berry (5-6 mm across) containing a single seed.These berries are initially green in colour, but turn orange and become somewhatshrivelled as they mature. They may be present throughout most of the year.

Reproduction and DispersalReproduction and Dispersal

This plant reproduces mainly by seed. Its berries are readily eaten and spread by birdsand other animals. The seeds may also be spread in dumped garden waste.

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) is regarded as an environmental weedin Queensland and New South Wales, and was listed as a priority environmental weed inone Natural Resource Management region. It is a major environmental weed in south-eastern Queensland, and was recently ranked among the top ten most invasive plantsin this region. It is also a significant environmental weed in north-eastern New SouthWales, particularly in coastal districts north from Lismore. Climbing asparagus fern(Asparagus africanus) has only become naturalised in the last 30 years or so, and is stillspreading. It is thought to have the potential to invade rainforests, open woodlands andriparian vegetation throughout the coastal and sub-tropical regions of easternAustralia.

Climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) scrambles over other vegetation andclimbs up to 12 m into the canopies of taller trees. It can often completely smothersmaller trees, understorey shrubs and ground layer plants and its fibrous roots formdense mats just below the soil surface, which are thought to interfere with theestablishment and survival of seedlings of native species. In south-eastern Queenslandthis species is most prominent in remnant semi-evergreen vine thickets and brigalowforest communities, particularly in the Marburg and Boonah districts. It alsoinvades gullies and some wetter eucalypt communities.

LegislationLegislation

This species is declared under legislation in the following states and territories:

Queensland: C lass 3C lass 3 - this species is primarily an environmental weed and apest control notice may be issued for land that is, or is adjacent to, anenvironmentally significant area (throughout the entire state). It is also illegalto sell a declared plant or its seed in this state.

Western Australia: Unassessed - this species is declared in other states orterritories and is prohibited until assessed via a weed risk assessment(throughout the entire state).

ManagementManagement

For information on the management of this species see the following resources:

the Biosecurity Queensland Fact Sheet on this species, which is availableonline at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au.

Section 6 of the Asparagus Weeds Best Practice Management Manual, whichis available online atwww.weeds.org.au/WoNS/bridalcreeper/docs/Asparagus_Weeds_BPMM-6.pdf.

Similar SpeciesSimilar Species

Climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) is very similar to another species knownas climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus plumosus) and similar to ground asparagus

infestation in the Boondall Wetlands in Brisbane (Photo:Sheldon Navie)

branches with 'leaves' (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

close-up of 'leaves' (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

close-up of old fruit (Photo: Tracey Slotta at USDA PLANTSDatabase)

comparison of the 'leaves' of Asparagus plumosus, on theleft, and Aspargaus africanus, on the right (Photo: Sheldon

Navie)

fern (Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri'), bridal veil (Asparagus declinatus), bridalcreeper (Asparagus asparagoides), garden asparagus (Asparagusofficinalis), sicklethorn (Asparagus falcatus), Ming asparagus fern (Aspargausretrofractus) and other asparagus ferns (Asparagus scandens and Asparagus virgatus).These species can be distinguished by the following differences:

climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) is a climbing plant with long-lived and thorny main stems. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes) are borne in groups ofmore than three along the stems, are linear in shape, and are relativelysmall (6-15 mm long and only about 0.5 mm wide). Its flowers are borne insmall several-flowered clusters and its fruit turn orange when mature.

climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus plumosus) is a climbing plant with long-lived and thornless or slightly thorny main stems. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes)are borne in groups of more than three along the stems, are linear in shape,and are very small (4-7 mm long and only about 0.5 mm wide). Its flowers areborne singly or in pairs and its fruit turn black when mature.

ground asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri') is usually a low-growing or scrambling plant with spreading or drooping branches bearingsome small sharp thorns. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes) are borne in groups ofone to eight (usually 2-5) along the stems, are linear in shape, andare moderately large (15-25 mm long and 2-3 mm wide). Its flowers areborne in elongated, many-flowered clusters (i.e. racemes) and its fruit turnred when mature.

bridal veil (Asparagus declinatus) is a creeping or climbing plant with short-lived thornless stems that die back each summer. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes)are borne in groups of three along the stems, are linear in shape, and arerelatively small (5-20 mm long and 0.5-1.5 mm wide). Its flowers are bornesingly and its fruit turn bluish-grey or whitish in colour when mature.

bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) is a creeping or climbing plant withshort-lived thornless stems that die back each summer. Its 'leaves' (i.e.cladodes) are borne singly along the stems, are oval (i.e. elliptic) in shape,and are relatively large (10-70 mm long and 10-30 mm wide). Its flowers areborne singly or in few-flowered clusters and its fruit turn red when mature.

garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is an upright plant (up to 2 m tall)with short-lived thornless stems that die back each summer. Its 'leaves' (i.e.cladodes) are borne in groups of one to five along the stems, are linear inshape, and are relatively small (12-25 mm long and 0.5 mm wide). Its flowersare borne singly or in pairs and its fruit turn red when mature.

sicklethorn (Asparagus falcatus) is a shrubby climbing plant with long-livedand thorny main stems. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes) are borne in groups ofthree to six along the stems, are elongated in shape, and are quite large (35-125 mm long and 2-5 mm wide). Its flowers are borne in elongated, many-flowered clusters (i.e. racemes) and its fruit turn red or whitish when mature.

Ming asparagus fern (Aspargaus retrofractus) is shrubby plant withsomewhat woody branches bearing some small sharp thorns. Its 'leaves' (i.e.cladodes) are borne in large clusters along the stems, are linear in shape,and are moderately large (12-25 mm long and only about 0.5 mm wide). Itsflowers are borne in large rounded clusters and its fruit turn black whenmature.

asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens) is a creeping or climbing plant withshort-lived or long-lived thornless stems. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes) are bornein groups of three along the stems, are linear in shape (often slightly curved),and are relatively small (5-15 mm long and 0.5-1.5 mm wide). Its flowers areborne singly or in few-flowered clusters and its fruit turn orange or red whenmature.

asparagus fern (Asparagus virgatus) is an upright plant (up to 1.5 m tall) withshort-lived or long-lived thornless stems. Its 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes) are bornein groups of three along the stems, are linear in shape, and are relativelysmall (6-20 mm long and 0.5-1 mm wide). Its flowers are borne singly and itsfruit turn orange when mature.

It is also similar to the native asparagus fern (Asparagus racemosus) which is onlyfound in northern Australia. These two species can be distinguished by the followingdifferences:

climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) has 'leaves' (i.e. cladodes)that are linear in shape and relatively small (6-15 mm long and about 0.5 mm

the somewhat larger and flattened 'leaves' of Asparagusracemosus (Photo: Sheldon Navie)

wide). Its flowers are borne in small clusters and its fruit (5-6 mm across)turn orange when mature.

native asparagus fern (Asparagus racemosus ) has 'leaves' (i.e.cladodes) that are linear in shape and relatively large (10-30 mm long andless than 1 mm wide). Its flowers are borne in elongated, many-flowered clusters (i.e. racemes) and its fruit (3-4 mm across) turn redwhen mature.

Fact sheets are available from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) service centres and our Customer Service Centre (telephone 1325 23). Check our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheetshould be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. Theserestrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy ofthis information, DEEDI does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.

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