Basket asparagus fern
Basket asparagus fern fruit
© Queensland Government
Basket asparagus fern in a pot
© Queensland Government
Native to Africa, basket asparagus fern has long, arching, prickly stems. One of Australia's most significant garden escapees, it becomes dominant ground cover and displaces native plants, even in undisturbed systems. Basket asparagus fern is also known as 'ground asparagus' or just 'asparagus fern'.
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 aethiopicus
Other names
- Ground asparagus, asparagus fern
Similar species
Description
- Fern with long, arching, prickly stems up to 2m long.
- Leaves are light green, slender.
- Flowers are small, creamy, clustered.
- Fruits are up to 8mm in diameter.
- Fruits ripen to bright red containing a single, black, round seed.
- Starch-bearing tubers are present, but do not regrow or reproduce.
Habitat
- Prefers sand dunes, shallow-soiled headlands and rainforest understorey.
Distribution
- Occurs along Queensland coast and hinterland.
- Visit Weeds Australia and click on the distribution tab to access the distribution map.
Life cycle
- Germinates most of the year if moisture present.
- Usually flowers October–February.
Plants affected
- Native plants
Impacts
Environmental
- Becomes dominant ground cover, displacing native plants, even in undisturbed systems.
How it is spread
- Spread by fruit-eating birds.
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
- Basket 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 basket 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 basket asparagus fern. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact local government for more information.
Further information
- Contact the Customer Service Centre.
- Read the asparagus ferns fact sheet.
- Find out more about the similar species – climbing asparagus fern, feathered asparagus fern and Bridal Creeper.
- Read Weeds Australia's profile of asparagus fern.