Also known as Ornamental Asparagus, African Asparagus, Climbing Asparagus, Asparagopsis lamarckii, Asparagus retrofractus
⚠ Declared: act on sight Weed of National Significance
Status
Prohibited / WoNS
Growth form
vine
Spread
birds
Declaration by state+
NSWprohibitedProhibited matter · Statewide
VICrestrictedRestricted · Statewide
SAcontrolledClass 3 declared weed · Multiple regions
TASprohibitedDeclared Weed · Statewide
Asparagus africanus
Asparagus fern (Asparagus africanus) is a fast-growing scrambling shrub or vine introduced as an ornamental that has escaped into bushland. It can form dense above-ground thickets and dense root mats that smother other vegetation, prevent germination, and reduce habitat and food for native animals. It spreads by orange-red berries and by rhizomes and crown fragments moved in dumped garden waste.
Identify it
Field cues
01Scrambling shrub or vine with woody, ribbed stems that can reach up to 12m
02Older stems often have sharp spines about 6–10mm long
03Fine, fern-like cladodes in clusters along branches (about 8–15mm long)
04Small white to greenish-white flowers with 6 petals/tepals
05Round berries that ripen from green to bright orange or orange-red (about 5–6mm)
Distribution records are indicative. Always confirm current status with your state biosecurity authority.
Found in: coastal dunes, heathland, headlands, littoral rainforest, wet eucalypt forest, rainforest, vine thickets, open woodlands, brigalow scrub, mangroves, waterways, urban bushland, roadsides, parks, gardens.
Management is complicated by regrowth from crowns/rhizomes and ongoing recruitment from seed. Fruit-eating animals and water can spread seed, and dumped garden waste can spread rhizomes. Effective management commonly needs complete crown removal or well-targeted treatment of actively growing foliage, plus repeat follow-up to control regrowth and new seedlings and to prevent seed set.
1
Remove small plants completely
Hand pull very small seedlings and ensure the entire crown is removed. Dispose of removed crowns/underground stems so fragments are not spread in garden waste.
2
Stop seed production
Target control before plants set seed in spring and summer. Avoid cutting when fruit is present because green fruit can still be viable.
3
Recheck for seedlings and regrowth
Inspect in autumn and early winter for new seedlings and treat regrowth after initial control. Repeat follow-up actions to keep the area free of plants.
Registered herbicide options
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Spot spray application, best done between flowering and berries forming, rate stated as 200 mL per 10 L water plus 10 mL non-ionic surfactant. Source ↗
FluroxypyrGroup 4 · 200 g/L
Spot spray mid-June to late August, rate stated as 500 mL per 100 L water. Source ↗
FluroxypyrGroup 4 · 333 g/L
Spot spray application, rate stated as 300-600 mL per 100 L water. Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Cut stump/scrape stem, rate stated as 1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water. Source ↗
Metsulfuron-MethylGroup 2 · 600 g/kg
Spot spray application, rate stated as 1-2 g in 10 L water plus non-ionic surfactant 100 mL per 100 L spray volume. Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Spot spray mid-June to late August when used with metsulfuron-methyl, rate stated as up to 2 L per 100 L water (mixture details provided in source). Source ↗
Metsulfuron-MethylGroup 2 · 600 g/kg
Spot spray mid-June to late August when used with glyphosate, rate stated as 15 g per 100 L water (mixture details provided in source). Source ↗
PicloramGroup 4 · 44.7 g/L
Rhizome application using gel, prune shoots to access rhizome and apply a 3-5 mm layer across the cut surface, rate stated as undiluted (mixture details provided in source). Source ↗
AminopyralidGroup 4 · 4.47 g/L
Rhizome application using gel, prune shoots to access rhizome and apply a 3-5 mm layer across the cut surface, rate stated as undiluted (mixture details provided in source). Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 450 g/L
Spot spray June-August, rate stated as 1 L per 100 L. Source ↗
Use chemicals to the label. Always read the current APVMA-approved label before application.
Check permit conditions for your state, as some uses are limited to council or government staff.
Aquatic situations require products registered for use in or near water.
Why it matters
Impacts
Smothers and displaces native vegetation
Dense above-ground growth and dense root mats can outcompete native plants, smother ground cover and small trees, and prevent germination and establishment.
Spreads via fruit and dumped plant material
Seed is spread by animals and water, and rhizomes can be moved in dumped garden waste, allowing new infestations to establish away from the original site.
Offline · 1,200+ weed species
Identify it in the field
Point your iPhone at a weed and get a ranked ID, control guidance, and declared status, with no reception needed.
WeedScout