DOCSLIB.ORG

Bridal Creeper (Asparagus Asparagoides) the Problem

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bridal Creeper (Asparagus Asparagoides) the Problem weeds of national significance Bridal creeper – Asparagus asparagoides G Current G Potential Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) The problem Bridal creeper is a Weed of National Bridal creeper Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. Bridal creeper entered the country as a – Asparagus asparagoides garden plant and is now a major weed of bushland in southern Australia, where its climbing stems and foliage smother native plants. It forms a thick mat of underground tubers which impedes the root growth of other plants and often prevents seedling establishment. Rare native plants, such as the rice flower Bridal creeper is a major weed of bushland in southern Australia, where its climbing vegetation smothers native plants. Pimelea spicata, are threatened with Photo: Louise Morin, CSIRO extinction by bridal creeper. It invades undisturbed habitats and is The underground mat of rhizomes and Key points a major threat to most low shrubs and tubers makes up the bulk of the plant. groundcover plants in mallee, dry These tubers provide water, energy and • Prevent new areas from becoming infested sclerophyll forest and heath vegetation. nutrients that enable the plant to survive by safely disposing of garden waste. In South Australia and southwestern over summer and allow rapid shoot • Spraying herbicide is the most effective method Western Australia bridal creeper is growth in autumn. of controlling bridal creeper. considered the most important weed Twisting stems grow up to 3 m in • Biological control is also having an impact threat to biodiversity. length, with leaves borne in groups on in many areas; local communities can become It also causes losses to primary industries short side branches. Numerous shoots involved in rearing and releasing the bridal (eg by shading citrus and avocado trees are produced from one patch of roots creeper leafhopper and spreading the rust fungus. and interfering with fruit picking), espe- and entwine with each other and the • It will take many years for the biocontrol cially in the Murray River irrigation area. native vegetation, making it almost agents to reduce the density of bridal creeper impossible to identify individual plants. due to the huge reserves stored underground The weed Bridal creeper produces pea-sized in tubers. green berries which ripen to red and Bridal creeper has annual, climbing shoot usually contain two or three black seeds. growth from a perennial root system Although one of its common names consisting of many tubers (food storage is ‘smilax’, it is not related to native organs) grouped along a central rhizome species in the genus Smilax. (an underground stem with shoot buds). 2 Growth calendar Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Flowering 30 mm Fruiting Dieback Regrowth Germination General growth pattern Growth pattern in suitable conditions Seeds germinate in autumn and winter in leaf litter and at soil depths of up to 100 mm. Buried seed that does not germinate rots within two years, while seeds on the soil surface may be viable for at least three years. Compared to many other weeds, Bridal creeper tolerates a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and, unlike many other weeds, bridal creeper has a short-lived seedbank. can establish in undisturbed areas. Photo: Weeds CRC Shoots of bridal creeper typically emerge from the soil in autumn but earlier emergence can occur in years of high summer rainfall. Shoots may be present year round in areas which normally have summer rains or are under irrigation. Bridal very popular in floral arrangements, creeper plants take at least three years to reach flowering size, the flowers appearing especially bridal bouquets, and as a along the length of the shoots in August and September. The green berries turn plant for hanging baskets. red in late spring to early summer. There can be large differences in fruit production between years and sites. Early Where it grows autumn rains allow a longer growing season, which favours high fruit production. Bridal creeper is widespread in The amount of fruit set is significantly greater where shoots are able to grow vertically southwestern Western Australia, southern by climbing up shrubs and trees, and less where the plants are heavily shaded, South Australia and eastern Victoria. – Asparagus asparagoides suffer water stress or where there is a high level of competition between shoots Although it is spreading through New (ie older, dense infestations). South Wales and Tasmania, it could still be eradicated there with a sustained effort. Leaves turn yellow and fall and stems die back in late spring – early summer as temperatures rise and soils become dry. As well as a wide range of natural habitats, bridal creeper grows well in citrus orchards Bridal creeper Bridal creeper and pine plantations. It can grow in most How it spreads soils but is most common close to the coast where it invades woodlands and Bridal creeper plants can produce more other open coastal vegetation. It is than 1000 berries per square metre. Birds particularly vigorous in alkaline sandy feed on the berries and later excrete the soils and thrives in areas high in nutrients seeds at perch sites, usually within 100 m such as drainage lines. Roadsides next of source plants. However, seed dispersed to farms are favoured sites because of by birds has helped spread the weed increased nutrient levels from fertilised along roadsides and into native vegetation paddocks. Bridal creeper is frost tolerant patches further afield. Rabbits and foxes and its perennial root system enables it 8 mm also eat fruit and disperse seeds. to survive summer drought. The plant can spread as the root system slowly expands in area. Movement of Potential distribution soil containing roots (eg by grading) can Bridal creeper could potentially extend spread plants further. Dumping of garden its current distribution into southeastern rubbish containing bridal creeper seeds Queensland. It could also spread further or roots also spreads the weed. and increase its density in regions where Bridal creeper was first recorded in it is present but not widespread, eg the Bridal creeper produces bright red berries, which are eaten by birds and foxes, enabling it to be a nursery catalogue in 1857. With its central north and far southeast coasts spread over long distances. dainty white flowers and stems covered of Western Australia and northern and Photo:Colin G. Wilson with heart-shaped green leaves, it proved southwestern Victoria. Weed Management Guide • Bridal creeper – Asparagus asparagoides 3 Herbicides Herbicides have been the most effective method of control. However, because bridal creeper often grows in areas of native vegetation, it is particularly important to avoid contact with desirable plants or soil near tree root zones. Isolated plants can be treated with a recommended herbicide applied by spot spraying. As infestations become larger, a strategically staged approach for removal is advisable to ensure that treated areas are not reinfested. Off-target impacts have been a concern where herbicide has not been applied Physical removal is not effective unless all the rhizomes are dug up and destroyed. Photo: Kate Blood carefully. The best way to apply it is with a hand sprayer, but it can also be wiped directly on the leaves. Using a herbicide What to do about it When searching for bridal creeper, check coloured with dye helps show where tree corridors and taller trees on the it has been used and limits spillage Bridal creeper has a number of features edges of native vegetation. Weed surveys and wastage. which make it difficult to control – its tuber should extend several hundred metres reserves provide a buffer against adverse from source infestations to ensure most Biological control seasons, it has a wide germination range of the bird dispersed seeds/seedlings and, unlike some other weeds, it can are picked up, and buffer zones for In South Africa bridal creeper is an invade undisturbed sites. bridal creeper should be 500 m wide uncommon plant that is kept in check around the edge of an infestation. by its natural enemies. But there are also weaknesses in its Within the buffer zone the aim is to biology – it has a relatively short-lived Three of these enemies have been limit further spread. The conventional seedbank, seed production only occurs released in Australia: the bridal creeper approach is to focus on the small on early emerging stems, and the seed leafhopper (Zygina sp.), rust fungus patches at the edge of an infestation, output in old infestations is small. (Puccinia myrsiphylli ) and leaf beetle working back towards the centre. (Crioceris sp.). However, an alternative approach is to It is vital to keep uninfested target the larger climbing infestations The bridal creeper leafhopper has areas free of bridal creeper that produce the most seed and are thus been released at more than 700 sites throughout southern Australia since Gardeners must be discouraged from most attractive to birds. A two-pronged 1999. The adult insect is white, 2–3 mm planting bridal creeper, and encouraged attack may be best but research is needed long and lives on the underside of to replace existing plants with desirable to confirm this. species and safely dispose of garden waste. Mapping is important to determine what area of bridal creeper is present in a region; where infestations are located (particularly in relation to areas of significant native vegetation); which infestations are eradicable; which 2 mm infestations are likely to be major seed sources; and where buffer/control zones 40 mm should be located. New infestations of bridal creeper are The many shoots entwine with each other and The bridal creeper leafhopper (Zygina sp.) the native vegetation, making it almost impossible has been released at more than 700 sites often associated with the tallest trees, to identify individual plants.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Evolution of a Sex Chromosome in Asparagus by Alex E. Harkess (Under the Direction of James H. Leebens-Mack) Abstract the Ov
    The Evolution of a Sex Chromosome in Asparagus by Alex E. Harkess (Under the Direction of James H. Leebens-Mack) Abstract The overwhelming majority of flowering plants reproduce through the production of hermaphroditic flowers. A small percentage of angiosperm species instead are dioecious, producing either male or female flowers on individual plants. Dioecy can be mediated at the molecular level by a sex chromosome that genetically differentiates males and females. Sex chromosomes evolve from autosomes, and this conversion is hypothesized to involve muta- tions in one or more linked genes that determine sex. Given the complexities of anther and ovule development, the full suite of sex determination genes has not been described for any dioecious plant. Here we explore the conversion from autosome to an XY sex chromosome using garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), an ideal model system for studying the ear- liest events in sex chromosome evolution given that it recently evolved a sex chromosome pair. Focusing first on broad trends, genomic characterization of several hermaphroditic and dioecious species across the Asparagus genus revealed an increase in retrotransposon con- tent coincident with the evolution of dioecy. To identify putative sex determination genes on this Y chromosome, we then explore the timing of male and female sterility events in garden asparagus, hypothesizing that anther sterility in females likely occurs before pollen microsporogenesis. Finally, we assemble and annotate a high quality reference genome for garden asparagus, and perform a suite of mutant analyses to identify two genes in a non- recombining region of the Y that are ultimately responsible for sex determination.
    [Show full text]
  • GENOME EVOLUTION in MONOCOTS a Dissertation
    GENOME EVOLUTION IN MONOCOTS A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School At the University of Missouri In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy By Kate L. Hertweck Dr. J. Chris Pires, Dissertation Advisor JULY 2011 The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled GENOME EVOLUTION IN MONOCOTS Presented by Kate L. Hertweck A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy And hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. Dr. J. Chris Pires Dr. Lori Eggert Dr. Candace Galen Dr. Rose‐Marie Muzika ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to many people for their assistance during the course of my graduate education. I would not have derived such a keen understanding of the learning process without the tutelage of Dr. Sandi Abell. Members of the Pires lab provided prolific support in improving lab techniques, computational analysis, greenhouse maintenance, and writing support. Team Monocot, including Dr. Mike Kinney, Dr. Roxi Steele, and Erica Wheeler were particularly helpful, but other lab members working on Brassicaceae (Dr. Zhiyong Xiong, Dr. Maqsood Rehman, Pat Edger, Tatiana Arias, Dustin Mayfield) all provided vital support as well. I am also grateful for the support of a high school student, Cady Anderson, and an undergraduate, Tori Docktor, for their assistance in laboratory procedures. Many people, scientist and otherwise, helped with field collections: Dr. Travis Columbus, Hester Bell, Doug and Judy McGoon, Julie Ketner, Katy Klymus, and William Alexander. Many thanks to Barb Sonderman for taking care of my greenhouse collection of many odd plants brought back from the field.
    [Show full text]
  • BFS341 Site Species List
    Species lists based on plot records from DEP (1996), Gibson et al. (1994), Griffin (1993), Keighery (1996) and Weston et al. (1992). Taxonomy and species attributes according to Keighery et al. (2006) as of 16th May 2005. Species Name Common Name Family Major Plant Group Significant Species Endemic Growth Form Code Growth Form Life Form Life Form - aquatics Common SSCP Wetland Species BFS No WOODP01 (FCT30a2) WOODP02 (FCT30a2) Wd? Acacia rostellifera Summer-scented Wattle Mimosaceae Dicot WA 3 SH/T P 341 y y Acanthocarpus preissii Prickle Lily Dasypogonaceae Monocot WA 4 H-SH P 341 y * Anagallis arvensis Pimpernel Primulaceae Dicot 4 H A 341 y * Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper Asparagaceae Monocot 4 H (CL) PAB 341 y y Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Speargrass Poaceae Monocot AUST 5 G P 341 y Caladenia latifolia Pink Fairy Orchid Orchidaceae Monocot WA 4 H PAB 341 y Calandrinia calyptrata Pink Purslane Portulacaceae Dicot AUST 4 H A 341 y Callitris preissii Rottnest Island Cypress Cupressaceae Conifer s,E WA 1 T P 341 y * Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Chickweed Caryophyllaceae Dicot 4 H A 341 y Clematis linearifolia Old Man's Beard Ranunculaceae Dicot WA 4 H-SH (CL) P 341 y Clematis pubescens Old Man's Beard Ranunculaceae Dicot WA 4 H-SH (CL) P 341 y Comesperma integerrimum Vine Comesperma Polygalaceae Dicot WA 3 SH (CL) P 341 y Conostylis candicans subsp. candicans Grey Conostylis Haemodoraceae Monocot WA 4 H P 341 y Dianella revoluta var. divaricata Common Dianella Phormiaceae Monocot WA 4 H P 341 y Diplolaena dampieri Southern Diplolaena Rutaceae Dicot r,s AUST 3 SH P 341 y * Ehrharta longiflora Annual Veldtgrass Poaceae Monocot 5 G A 341 y y Eucalyptus gomphocephala var.
    [Show full text]
  • 213Asparagus Workshop Part2.Indd
    128 Plant Protection Quarterly Vol.21(3) 2006 dioecious species examined had on aver- age twice the genome size of the South Af- Review of the current taxonomic status and rican hermaphroditic species and, based on internal transcribed spacers of nuclear authorship for Asparagus weeds in Australia ribosomal DNA, the species can be divided into two clusters, one of European species Kathryn L. Batchelor and John K. Scott, CSIRO Entomology, Private Bag 5, and the other of southern Africa species. PO Wembley, Western Australia 6913, Australia. Both Lee et al. (1997) and Stajner et al. Email: [email protected], [email protected] (2002) did not use outgroup taxa in their analyses. This issue and a larger sam- ple size (24 species) were addressed in a study by Fukuda et al. (2005) of the mo- Summary Systematic taxonomy of genera lecular phylogeny of Asparagus inferred Over the last 20 years, many scientifi c within the Asparagaceae from plastid petB intron and petD-rpoA papers and reports have been produced The debate over whether the Asparagace- intergenic spacer sequences. They found outlining the establishment, distribution ae contains one genus Asparagus with or evidence supporting a monophyletic ori- and weed status of Asparagus weeds in without subgenera, or up to 16 separate gin of Asparagus and the sub-division of Australia. Differing use of authorship genera has been going for over 200 years. Asparagus into more than three groups. and species names are present in this lit- The taxonomic history of the Asparagace- The Eurasian species of Asparagus formed erature resulting in confusion over which ae is well covered in recent papers.
    [Show full text]
  • Proclaimed Plant Policy
    Declared Plant Policy This policy relates to natural resources management under section 9(1)(d) of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (the Act), enabling co-ordinated implementation and promotion of sound management programs and practices for the use, development or protection of natural resources of the State. Specifically, this policy provides guidance on the use and management of natural resources relating to the prevention or control of impacts caused by pest species of plants that may have an adverse effect on the environment, primary production or the community, as per object s7(1)(f) of the Act. bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) Bridal creeper is a winter-growing, summer-dormant climbing perennial. It is widespread in South Australia, invading a wide range of native vegetation communities. Two forms of bridal creeper (known as common and Western Cape) have been found in South Australia and require different management approaches. Management Plan for Bridal Creeper Outcomes • Protect the integrity of native vegetation by preventing further spread and minimising the impacts of existing bridal creeper infestations. Objectives • Contain existing infestations to prevent spread into uninvaded areas. • Control bridal creeper at sites of high conservation significance. • Control priority infestations in accordance with landscape board regional management plans. Best Practice Implementation • Redistribution of biological control agents, where required for priority sites. • Prohibition on sale of bridal creeper is to be enforced, as detected by regional landscape boards. • Identification and strategic control of outlier infestations. • Management of core infestations of bridal creeper to protect high value natural assets/areas of conservation significance. • Extension to raise awareness of the two forms of bridal creeper and the differences in management approaches.
    [Show full text]
  • Asparagus Weeds Management Manual
    Weeds of National Significance Asparagus weeds Management Manual Current management and control options for asparagus weeds Asparagus spp. in Australia National Asparagus Weeds Management Committee Asparagus weeds Management Manual Current management and control options for asparagus weeds Asparagus spp. in Australia Weeds of National Significance 203 i 203 State of NSW and ffice of Environment and Heritage This publication is intended to provide information only on the subect under review. It is not intended to provide, nor does it constitute, epert advice. eaders are warned against relying solely on the information herein. Further professional advice should be sought before acting on the information supplied in this manual. While all care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the ffice of Environment and Heritage NSW, nor its staff accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result from any inaccuracy or omission, or from the use of the information herein. Published by: This publication should be cited as: ffice of Environment and Heritage ffice of Environment and Heritage 203. 6 oulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Asparagus weeds management manual: current P Bo A20, Sydney South NSW 232 management and control options for asparagus weeds Asparagus spp. in Australia. ffice of Ph: 02 000 switchboard Environment and Heritage NSW, Sydney. Ph: 3 environment information and publications requests This proect was supported by the ffice of or 300 36 6 national parks, general Environment and Heritage NSW,
    [Show full text]
  • 5, and J. Chris Pires
    American Journal of Botany 99(2): 330–348. 2012. Q UALITY AND QUANTITY OF DATA RECOVERED FROM MASSIVELY PARALLEL SEQUENCING: EXAMPLES IN 1 ASPARAGALES AND POACEAE P . R OXANNE S TEELE 2 , K ATE L. HERTWECK 3 , D USTIN M AYFIELD 4 , M ICHAEL R. MCKAIN 5 , J AMES L EEBENS-MACK 5 , AND J. CHRIS P IRES 3,6 2 Department of Biology, 6001 W. Dodge Street, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0040 USA; 3 National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, 2024 W. Main Street, Suite A200, Durham, North Carolina 27705-4667 USA; 4 Biological Sciences, 1201 Rollins St., Bond LSC 311, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 USA; and 5 Plant Biology, 4504 Miller Plant Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 USA • Premise of the study: Genome survey sequences (GSS) from massively parallel sequencing have potential to provide large, cost-effective data sets for phylogenetic inference, replace single gene or spacer regions as DNA barcodes, and provide a plethora of data for other comparative molecular evolution studies. Here we report on the application of this method to estimat- ing the molecular phylogeny of core Asparagales, investigating plastid gene losses, assembling complete plastid genomes, and determining the type and quality of assembled genomic data attainable from Illumina 80 – 120-bp reads. • Methods: We sequenced total genomic DNA from samples in two lineages of monocotyledonous plants, Poaceae and Aspara- gales, on the Illumina platform in a multiplex arrangement. We compared reference-based assemblies to de novo contigs, evaluated consistency of assemblies resulting from use of various references sequences, and assessed our methods to obtain sequence assemblies in nonmodel taxa.
    [Show full text]
  • 212BOAW Asparagus.Indd
    46 Plant Protection Quarterly Vol.21(2) 2006 the trnL-trnF region of the chloroplast ge- nome) obtained from several populations (L. Morin unpublished results). However, two populations of A. asparagoides, with Review the same morphology as the south-west- ern Cape form described by Kleinjan and Edwards (1999), were found at Donovan and Port McDonnell in south-eastern South Australia in July 2004 (K.L. Batch- elor and P.J. Turner unpublished results). The biology of Australian weeds ITS sequences of these populations exactly matched that of South African populations 44. Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce of the south-western Cape form (from Princess Vlei and Silvermine in the West- Louise MorinA,C,D, Kathryn L. Batchelor B,C and John K. Scott B,C,D ern Cape) (L. Morin unpublished results). A CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. The sequence of the south-western Cape B CSIRO Entomology, Private Bag 5, PO Wembley, Western Australia 6913, form differed by 32 base pairs (5% differ- Australia. ence) from that of the widespread form of C Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems, 1995–2002. A. asparagoides found in Australia. Based D Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management. on recent surveys, this new form appears to be restricted to south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria (Coles et al. 2006). A molecular phylogeny of all Name Most recent scientifi c papers incorrectly southern African broad-leaved Asparagus Botanical name credit authorship of A. asparagoides to W. species is required to determine if the two Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce (syno- Wight, perpetuating the mistake made by forms of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridal Creeper (DSE Vic)
    July 1999 Bridal creeper LC0258 Keith Turnbull Research Institute, Frankston ISSN 1329-833X This Landcare Note describes the weed bridal creeper, proportion of shoots can survive over summer if there is Asparagus asparagoides, and outlines options for its copious rainfall, and these die off in autumn. Growth of control. the rhizome resumes in mid summer when new stems are initiated and surface shoots appear in autumn (late Common names February or March onwards, rarely earlier) not always in Bridal creeper, bridal veil creeper, smilax response to rain. These plants flower the following August or September. Most of the growth above and below ground Botanical name occurs in winter and spring. New tubers are produced from mid autumn to spring. Asparagus asparagoides (L.) W. Wight formerly known as Myrsiphyllum asparagoides (L.) Willd. Family Asparagaceae (often included in Liliaceae) Status Bridal creeper is an extremely damaging and persistent environmental weed and can be a problem in orchards and neglected gardens. However it has not been declared noxious under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and there is no current legal requirement for Victorian landowners to control it. Origin and distribution Bridal creeper is native to South Africa and has been present in Australia since at least 1871. It was first recorded as naturalised in Victoria in 1886 and by the 1960s was well established, mainly in coastal areas including Port Phillip Bay. It is now found through most of the State, predominantly on sandy, well-drained soils. Bridal creeper has invaded grassland, heathland, dry and damp sclerophyll forests, mallee shrubland, coastal vegetation including secondary dunes, rock outcrop vegetation, warm temperate rainforest, the banks of watercourses, roadsides, citrus groves and orchards.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridal Creeper, Asparagus Asparagoides, Best Practice
    This document was originally published on the website of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, which was wound up in 2008. To preserve the technical information it contains, the department is republishing this document. Due to limitations in the CRC’s production process, however, its content may not be accessible for all users. Please contact the department’s Weed Management Unit if you require more assistance. ������������� ����������������� � ������������������������������������������������������ ISSN 1442-7192 Bridal creeper,��Asparagus asparagoides Taxonomy and status Botanical name: Asparagus asparagoides (L.) W. government weed agencies or on the web at Wight (synonyms: Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, www.weeds.org.au Asparagus medeoloides, Dracaena medeoloides, Elachanthera sewelliae, Luzuriaga sewelliae and Bridal creeper foliage. Medeola asparagoides) - Family Asparagaceae Photo: K. Batchelor. (Asparagus family) in the narrow sense or Liliaceae (Lily family) in its broad sense. Standard common name: bridal creeper. Other common names include bridal veil (also used for Asparagus declinatus in SA) or smilax (not to be confused with the indigenous plant genus Smilax, which is unrelated). Figure 1. Foliage of Asparagus scandens (left) Relationship to other species in Australia: The and A. asparagoides (right). only species of Asparagus that is native to Australia is Photo: K. Blood. A. racemosus (syn. Protasparagus racemosus, A. Bridal creeper smothering fasciculatus, A. acerosus, A. brownei). The species bushland. occurs in northern Australia in Queensland, WA and Description Photo: K. Blood. NT and is also native to SE Asia, India and Africa. It is Habitllifeform: Climbing plant. Shoots emerge relatively uncommon, but may form tangled masses annually from a perennial root system consisting of a along watercourses.
    [Show full text]
  • Section II: Scientific and Technical
    Plant Protection Quarterly VoI.11 (2) 1996 49 Section II: Scientific and technical Native, naturalized and cultivated Asparagaceae in in the family occurring throughout tropi­ cal Australia, Indonesia, China, India and Western Australia east Africa to South Africa. Greg Keighery, Science and Information Division, Department of Naturalized Asparagaceae in WA Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6065, Asparaglls asparagoides (L.) W. Wight Australia. (bridal creeper or smilax asparagus) (synonym: Myrsipllyllutn asparagoides (L.) Willd.) Summary genera by Huber (1969) and formally This major weed is naturalized widely in The Asparagaceae consists of one large recognised by (Obermeyer 1983, 1984). southern Western Australia, South Aus­ variable genus, Asparagus with two This latter treatment has been followed in trali a, Victoria, Norfolk and Lord Howe subgenera, Asparagus and Myrsi­ the Flora of Australia (Clifford and Island and locall y in New South Wales phyllum. The bridal creeper, which is Conran 1987) and in several other taxo­ and Tasmania. widely naturalized in Western Australia, nomic studies in South Africa. However, a Asparagus declinatJls L. (bridal veil) is Asparagus asparagoides (L.) W. Wight. detailed comparison by Malcomber and (synonym: Myrsipllyllum decliIJatmn (L.) The bridal veil, a potentially serious Demissew (1993) of most named taxa of Obenn., Asparagus CriSP"S). weed in the same State, is Asparagus the family found that the characters used There aTe two established populations of dec1inatus L. Since there are over 100 spe­ in the past to segregate the genera Aspara­ this weed in Western Australia, one at cies of wild Asparagus in climatically gus, Myrsiphyllum and Protasparagus were Bunbury and one on Mount Eliza in Kings similar regions to southern Western Aus­ not consistently confined to the segregate Park and Botanic Garden (KPBG) .
    [Show full text]
  • Asparagus Asparagoides
    Asparagus asparagoides COMMON NAME Smilax FAMILY Asparagaceae FLORA CATEGORY Vascular – Exotic STRUCTURAL CLASS Lianes - Monocots NVS CODE ASPASP HABITAT Terrestrial. Thrives in impoverished soils, bare rock and volcanic soils. Likes good drainage. Coastal areas, open rocklands, shrubland, roadsides, hedges, wastelands, inshore and offshore islands. Plants are typically found under tree canopies which is largely due to bird movement but also reflects greater seedling establishment in leaf litter and better growth in shaded or part-shaded environments. FEATURES Scrambling or twining perennial. White, fleshy, tuberous roots in dense clusters. Stems to 3 m, green or slightly woody, twisted, thin and wiry, branched. Leaves are actually cladodes (flattened leaf-like stems), solitary at each node, 10-35 x 4- 15 mm, flat, ovalish, pointed, with approx. 7 veins. Flowers greenish-white, 5-6 mm, July-Aug. Round red Near Bulls. Aug 2006. Photographer: Colin Ogle berry, 6-10 mm, 2-8 tiny black seeds. SIMILAR TAXA Leaf-like cladodes distinguish A. asparagoides from other Asparagus species. FLOWERING August, September, October FLOWER COLOURS White YEAR NATURALISED Close up of Asparagus asparagoides. 1905 Photographer: ARC ORIGIN trop & S. Africa ETYMOLOGY asparagus: An old Greek name for this plant possibly derived from a- (an intensifier) and sparasso ‘to tear’, referring to the prickles of some species Reason For Introduction Ornamental Life Cycle Comments Winter perennial; in warm regions such as Auckland, the plant can remain in leaf all year. Seeds germinate in autumn or winter, in leaf litter and at soil depths of up to 10cm. Seedlings produce at least one tuber in their first year.
    [Show full text]