Bridal veil
Bridal veil bulb-like tubers
© South Australian DWLBC
Bridal veil flowers
© South Australian DWLBC
Bridal veil
© South Australian DWLBC
Bridal veil is very similar to bridal creeper and has become a highly invasive and aggressive invasive plant. Both these invasive species are listed as Weeds of National Significance.
This invasive plant is part of a group of ferns known collectively as ‘asparagus ferns’:
- asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens)
- basket asparagus fern (A. aethiopicus)
- bridal veil (A. declinatus)
- climbing asparagus fern (A. africanus)
- feathered asparagus fern (A. plumosus).
All these asparagus ferns are category 3 restricted matter in Queensland. Due to these plants’ invasive properties and the difficulty of removing them from bushland, gardeners should avoid planting all types of asparagus ferns.
Scientific name
Asparagus declinatus
Similar species
- Climbing asparagus fern
- Feathered asparagus fern
- Basket asparagus fern
- Asparagus fern
- Bridal creeper
Description
- Multi-branched delicate scrambler plant that grows up to 2.5m high.
- Leaves are soft, needle-like, grey-green to 20mm long, occurring in groups of 3.
- Flowers are small, greenish-white, solitary or in pairs on short stalks.
- Fruit are spherical or ovoid, up to 8–15mm in diameter.
- Fruits ripen from green to pale bluish-grey or whitish-translucent, containing 2–14 seeds.
- Roots are a dense mat of fibrous rhizomes, with clusters of thick bulb-like ribbed tubers to 6cm long—stems arise from the length of the rhizomes.
Habitat
- Found in temperate climates.
- Grows in a wide range of environments, including exposed rocky outcrops and pine forests to woodlands and coastal habitats.
Distribution
- Visit Weeds Australia and click on the distribution tab to access the distribution map.
Life cycle
- Usually flowers July–October.
- Fruit appears in late winter to midsummer.
- Germinates March–August.
Impacts
Environmental
- Becomes dominant at both ground and shrub layer, displacing native plants, even in undisturbed systems.
How it is spread
- Spread by fruit-eating birds and possums, foxes, rodents and lizards.
Prevention
- Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
- Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.
Control
Physical control
- Remove berries, seeds and entire crown of underground stem with sharp knife to prevent regrowth.
- Follow up to control seedling germination and regrowth from missed tubers.
Herbicide control
- Herbicide control is effective.
- Use spot spray and cut-stump methods.
Read the asparagus ferns fact sheet for herbicide control and application rates.
Biological control
- No known biological control agent.
Legal requirements
- Bridal veil is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
You must not:- give it away
- sell it
- release it into the environment.
- You must take all reasonable and practical measures that are under your control to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with bridal veil. This is part of your general biosecurity obligation.
- Each local government must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on bridal veil. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact local government for more information.
Further information
- Contact us online, by phone or in person.
- Read the asparagus ferns fact sheet.
- Read Weeds Australia's profile of bridal veil.