Asparagus weeds - Weeds Australia

Comparing the two forms of bridal creeperWestern Cape bridal creeper looks similar tothe common form. Like the common form:• it is a climbing vine with many twistingstems that can scramble along theground or climb up to 3 m on supportingvegetation,• the leaves are broad near the stem andpointed at the tips,• the stems and leaves grow rapidly duringautumn and winter,• a mass of small, white flowers grow in latewinter, followed by green berries in springthat ripen to red,• as berries ripen, leaves and stems dry off,leaving berries exposed for birds and otheranimals to eat, and• large tuberous root system allows the plantto survive the hot, dry summer and regrowafter autumn rains.Compared to the common form, it has largertubers that grow in a rosette close to the soilsurface and larger, darker leaves that are thick,waxy and leathery.Above ground – leaves and stemsDon’t just rely on above ground features for identification, as they can easily be confused withthe common form. Dig up the tubers and compare them.Western Cape bridal creeper• Larger, flatter and darker green• Waxy, thick and leathery• More angular stems• Resistant to rust fungus (although some rustmay appear on leaves but the plant is notimpacted)(NB. technically the leaves are flattenedcladodes)Common form of bridal creeper• Usually lighter, grass-green• Soft and shiny• Less angular stems• Affected by rust fungusBUT, in ideal conditions, can look verysimilar to the Western Cape form; socheck the tubers to be sureBelow ground – tubers and rootsWestern Cape bridal creeper• Large, thick tubers (40–75 mm long) arrangedin a tight rosette around the rhizomes• Tubers end in a fine root and grow close toground surfaceTubers are the best defining characteristic!Dig them up to be sure you are looking atWestern Cape formCommon form of bridal creeper• Small tubers (to 42 mm long) arrangedalong branching rhizomes, giving a ‘matlike’appearance• Tubers do not typically end in a root andusually grow at least 10 cm underground9