Asparagus weeds - Weeds Australia

Biology and threatNew and emerging asparagus weedsSpecies Asparagus falcatus (sicklethorn) Asparagus retrofractus (Ming asparagus fern)Other names Protasparagus falcatus (L.) Oberm. A. macowanii Baker (pom pom asparagus or zig-zag asparagus)Origin Eastern and southern Africa Southern AfricaHabit Robust climber up to 6 m;capable of attaining largecrown size (>300 mm diameter)Shrubby plant growing 1–2 mand occasionally 3 m tallCladodes(leaves) andstemsFlowersYear round foliage; sickle-shape,shiny, dark green, elongatedcladodes 30–60 mm long, 3–5mm wide; stems with thornsthat become woody with ageSmall white flower clusters onelongated stalksYear round foliage; needle-likecladodes 7–45 mm long andproduced in clusters of 20–30along the stems; older stems arelight grey and bear small spinesSmall, white or cream; denseclusters produced in largenumbers on short stalksFruits Red rounded berry Rounded berries, initially greenturning purple to pinkish-redor with bluish bloom to black asthey matureRoots Form swollen tubers Form fleshy, tuberous rootsSheldon NavieSheldon NavieSheldon NavieMatt SheehanGlen Sanders Matt SheehanSheldon NavieSheldon NavieSheldon NavieCurrentknowndistributionStatus andspreadHabitatRecorded in Sydney and Wyong region at Lake Cathie, Sancroxand Port Macquarie in NSW; growing in Littoral Rainforest, WetSclerophyll, Swamp Oak and Subtropical Rainforest ecologicalcommunity typesEmerging environmental weed in south-eastern QLD and NSWcoastal areas; spread by birds and other animals that eat its fruitPrefers moist, semi-shaded growing conditions; common in riparianareas near human habitation; can germinate in conditions from fullsun to rainforest with >80% canopy closureRecorded in the Moreton and Wide Bay districts in south-easternQLD, Coochiemudlo Island, Greenslopes and St Lucia in Brisbaneand on the margins of a dry rainforest near Gympie; also observedgrowing in bushland at Ashgrove, Rochedale, Riverhills and MountCoot-thaEmerging threat in south-eastern QLD in urban bushland and alongwaterways; often cultivated as a garden ornamental and spread bybirds and other animals that eat its fruitPotential weed of riparian vegetation, forest margins, openwoodlands, urban bushland, coastal environs, roadsides anddisturbed sites; most commonly found in the understorey of drierforests26