Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper
South Africa
Flowers August to October
Impact:
Bridal Creeper is able to displace many under storey plants, from lilies to creepers and mid-sized shrubs. If the Bridal Creeper doesn't directly kill the natives, it can reduce the number of propagules from native plants, leading to the eventual disappearance of native species of many types and in many different areas. In addition to smothering other plants, it has a large tuberous root system which eventually forms a thick mat under the soil surface.
Habit: Bridal Creeper is a climber with bright green foliage. It has heart shaped, glossy leaves, with distinct parallel veins. The leaves are paper thin, have no stalk and are evenly spaced along the stems and branchlets. Bridal Creeper has a creamy white flower with six petals and can usually been seen flowering from August to October. The berries are bright red and succulent, providing a lovely reward for the birds that take them.
Spread: this species is that it is spread by birds, non-native and native species. This means that it is able to invade bush that is in good condition, and can be distributed quite widely.
Removal:
Hand-pulling or very careful spraying in the good areas of bush. Hand-pulling won't initially kill the plant, but will reduce its vigour, and eventually it will die. But this method takes great persistence. If there are lilies and orchids, there is little choice but to hand-pull the stems of bridal creeper. Ensure that the white ends of the stem closest to the root tubers are removed.
In areas of bush that are badly infested with Bridal Creeper, it is possible to spray using Glyphosphate (1:100). This must be done carefully. It is important to try and slow the massive areas of Bridal Creeper, as it can so easily re-infest the site where it has been removed.
Article from our September 2004 Newsletter :
Bridal Creeper Control workshop by Pat Bowie
On 23 July 2004 Delwyn Clark and Pat Bowie attended a Bridal Creeper control workshop held at Willunga Landcare Office by the Asparagus Weeds Working Group. The group was formed in 1999 in response to community concern about the spread of Asparagus weeds in the southern Fleurieu Peninsula.
The workshop was run by Susan Lawrie, assisted by Martin Wiedenbach. Asparagus species originate in South Africa, and were brought to Australia for ornamental and horticultural purposes, where they are now posing a threat as environmental weeds. There are 6 Asparagus species of concern. Bridal creeper, (Asparagus asparagoides), is now listed as a Weed of National Significance.
In South Africa Bridal Creeper has a number of natural enemies which control it and make it a relatively rare species, so there has been a concentration on finding a biological control. In 1999 leafhoppers were approved for release: impacts from this have been minimal. In 2000 Bridal Creeper rust fungus (Puccinia myrsiphylli) was approved for release. In 2002 a third agent, the leaf beetle, Crioceris sp. was approved for release.
The focus of the workshop was on the rust fungus. The fungus completes its life cycle on a single host. It destroys leaf tissue, and the plant sheds leaves prematurely, limiting flower and fruit production. The life cycle of the rust fungus ensures that it can survive over summer periods when no Bridal creeper is present. Instructions on how to infect plants for optimum "take" were described, and it was stressed that it may take several years before any significant reduction in populations is evident.
In 2003 trials involving the development of rust fungus spore water were conducted on Kangaroo Island. This is made by washing Bridal Creeper leaves infected with rust fungus with rainwater and adding this mix to a spray unit containing rainwater. As Bridal Creeper is the only plant spore water affects, this method is excellent, and can be used under most conditions. At the end of the workshop, those who attended were given plastic bags of infected Bridal creeper foliage, and asked to use it immediately. On return from the workshop this was done, the day being wet, which hopefully will help the fungus to establish itself. Only time and patience will tell.
Pat Bowie