Feathered asparagus fern
Feathered asparagus fern habit
© F & K Starr Creative Commons
Feathered asparagus fern frond
© F & K Starr Creative Commons
Feathered asparagus fern infestation
© F & K Starr Creative Commons
Native to South Africa, feathered asparagus fern is a fast-growing climber often used as a garden plant. It causes serious environmental problems if it escapes into bushland, where it can smother native vegetation, especially in dry rainforest.
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 plumosus
Similar species
Description
- Fast-growing plant that can climb up to 5m.
- Stems can be metres long.
- Leaves are very fine.
- Stems are thorny.
- Underground rhizomes are strong.
- Flowers are bell-shaped, greenish-white, 5–7mm wide
- Berries are green, ripening to black, 4–5mm wide.
- Roots are swollen, thick, do not produce tubers.
- Appearance and impacts are very similar to A. africanus except A. plumosus has black berries while A. africanus has orange berries.
Habitat
- Temperate to subtropical areas
Distribution
- Most common near Brisbane.
Life cycle
- Produces flowers and berries spring–autumn.
- Each berry contains 1 seed.
Plants affected
- Native plants
- Native shrubs
Impacts
Environmental
- Smothers native vegetation, especially in dry rainforest.
How it is spread
- Spread by birds and dumping of garden waste.
Prevention
- Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
- Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.
Control
Physical control
- Prevent birds from accessing berries.
- Dig out roots and dispose of at your local waste facility.
- Remove entire crown and underground stem to prevent regrowth. This requires digging underneath central growing point and lifting it out of ground. Any regrowth that occurs can be kept under control by regular mowing or digging out.
Herbicide control
- Herbicides are effective.
Read the asparagus ferns fact sheet for herbicide control and application rates.
Biological control
- No known biological control agents.
Legal requirements
- Feathered asparagus fern 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 feathered asparagus fern. 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 feathered asparagus fern. 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.
- Find out more about the similar species climbing asparagus fern and basket asparagus fern.