Asparagus fern

Asparagus fern is a scrambling perennial with white flowers and dark berries. It smothers native plants and prevents seedling establishment.

Description

• Stems are widely branched and no longer than 2m.
• Flowers are small, white and occur in late spring and early summer.
• Berries are purple to black.
• Seeds are dispersed by birds, vegetative spread by root fragments which can be aided by water and soil movement.
• Habitats include forests, forest margins, shrublands, roadsides, wastelands, hedgerows, gardens, and coastal cliffs.

What you need to know

Forms dense stands that smother low-growing native and desirable plants and prevents seedling establishment.

Management approach

Asparagus fern is an unwanted organism regulated under the National Plant Pest Accord.

National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA)

The NPPA prevents the sale, distribution and propagation of specified pest plants within Aotearoa/New Zealand and is administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, multiplied, communicated, released, caused to be released, or otherwise spread.

See the MPI website for more information on the NPPA.

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site Management

Cut and pull asparagus fern away from desirable trees and native plants before foliar spraying. Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after two to three treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig or pull plants out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: tubers, roots and seeds.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: Foliar spray with 200ml glyphosate per 10L of water.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 200ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 10ml penetrant.

Do not add penetrant when spraying against tree trunks.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Biological control

Biological control is currently not available for this species.