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, through funding environmental enquiries and publications requests from the Australian overnments Caring for our Fa: 02 Country. TT users: 336, then ask for 3 With the eception of photographs and drawings, Speak and listen users: phone 300 2, then the State of NSW and ffice of Environment and ask for 3 Heritage are pleased to allow this material to be Email: infoenvironment.nsw.gov.au reproduced in whole or in part for educational Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs and drawings. For further information contact: ISBN 8 43 3 2 Pest and Ecological Management nit EH 203/0486 Parks and Wildlife roup uly 203 ffice of Environment and Heritage NSW Phone: 300 36 6 Designed and typeset by Fiona ichardson, .. and F.. ichardson, Melbourne, ictoria This manual was produced as part of the Weeds of National Significance initiative, and is available for Cover images: free download from the ffice and Environment A scandens Hillary Cherry front and Heritage website www.environment.nsw.gov.au A declinatus Tim Parkinson back Printed on environmentally sustainable paper ii Acknowledgments Principal authors and compilers Asparagus weeds management erinne arvey, New South Wales, ffice of workshops Environment and Heritage Workshops and discussions were held with weed illary Cherry, New South Wales, ffice of Environment managers and community volunteers in New South and Heritage Wales, ueensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ictoria, and Western Australia in 202 and 203. Contributions arah ollandClift, Sydney, New South Wales, from over 400 dedicated asparagus weed managers Environmental consultant provided valuable information on current management ohn argreaves, Warrnambool, ictoria, Environmental and control practices, much of which forms the basis of consultant this manual. Many thanks to all those who contributed. Case study authors Valuable comments, information and ue Bower, Lord Howe Island Board, New South Wales review provided by ieran Brewer, South Australian Indigenous Flora, South igel Ainsworth, Biosecurity ictoria, Department of Australia Environment and Primary Industries, ictoria Alan Carter, Strategic Weed Control and egetation ank Bower, Lord Howe Island Board, New South Wales Management, ueensland ue Bower, Lord Howe Island Board, New South Wales ill Campbell, Sunshine Beach Bushland Care, avid Cooke, Biosecurity South Australia, Primary ueensland Industries and egions, South Australia Wendy uller, Narrawallee Bushcare roup, New South Tony Cook, NSW Department of Primary Industries, New Wales South Wales obert anna, Conserv-Action Environmental Services, Adrian ansen, Ecological Natural Area Management, ld ictoria ohn odgon, Department of National Parks, ecreation, Tracey ardwicke, Department of Environment, Water Sport and acing, ueensland and Natural esources, Adelaide and Mount Lofty ym ohnson, Biosecurity ueensland, Department of anges, South Australia Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, ueensland teve odgson, National Parks and Wildlife Service, avid ane, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, New South Wales Water and Environment, Tasmania Invasive pecies and ative Animal anagement nit, usan awrie, Flinders niversity, South Australia Brisbane City Council, ueensland eigh artin, ffice of Environment and Heritage, NSW ay effery, Iluka Landcare roup, New South Wales tuart conald, Byron Shire Council, NSW tuart conald, Byron Shire Council, New South ouise orin, CSI Ecosystem Sciences, ACT Wales eter ichael, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, NSW eter ichael, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, New heldon avie, Technigro, ueensland South Wales atthew pringall, ffice of Environment and Heritage, Alasdair tratton, Shoalhaven City Council, New South NSW Wales reg tewart, Natural esource Management North, Tas artyn wain, Clarence alley Council, New South eter Tucker, Department of Environment, Water and Wales Natural esources, South Australia eff Thomas, National Parks and Wildlife Service, New eter Turner, ffice of Environment and Heritage, NSW South Wales ory Wiadrowski, Department of Environment, Water erry Thompson, Shoalhaven City Council, New South and Natural esources, South Australia Wales Andrew Wills, Brisbane City Council, ueensland iii Foreword Weeds are often referred to as an ‘intractable’ problem that is, one that is difficult to deal with or solve. This, together with the sie of the weed problem in Australia yes, it’s big, can result in weed management being relegated to the ‘too hard’ basket. eaders of this manual will be aware that, while weeds are a significant and difficult problem, it is critical that we do manage them to protect the things that we value, in particular, Australia’s unique environment. Large and difficult problems require clever and effective solutions. The thousands of people working to tackle the weed problem in Australia are developing those solutions all the time. ver the last 20 or so years, we have built a well-stocked toolbo that contains strategic, effective tools and techniques to control weeds. This manual is yet another tool for the weed managers’ toolbo. It contains the collective understanding and eperience of hundreds of asparagus weed managers from across the country, who have kindly provided their knowledge and epertise. This manual provides a wealth of information on the biology, ecology and effective control of the seven asparagus Weeds of National Significance that have invaded southern and eastern Australia. Importantly, it also highlights other new and emerging asparagus weeds that can be eradicated now, to prevent them becoming part of the weed problem. The manual includes advice on planning, holistic management, restoration and monitoring, as well as case studies that provide real eamples of the successes and challenges of asparagus weed control. Because they are passionate about protecting our biodiversity, thousands of dedicated community volunteers and weed professionals are chipping away every day at the weed problem. This manual can now be added to that well-stocked toolbo that supports their ecellent work. While it will require long-term effort and continued dedication, the weed problem is not intractable but rather more tractable and feasible every day. Although it may not always seem like it, we are on the winning side of the weed battle keep the pressure on With sincere thanks to weed managers everywhere, illary Cherry Weeds of ational ignificance Coordinator une 3 iv Contents National management vi sing this manual vi Asparagus weed network in Australia vii Section 1 Biology and threat 1 nderstanding asparagus weeds 2 Identifying asparagus weeds 6 Where to find asparagus weeds 0 Biology, ecology and impacts of asparagus weeds in Australia Section 2 Planning and pre-control considerations 29 Plan before you control 30 The planning process 3 Checklist of steps to develop a weed management plan 32 Section 3 Control methods 41 Choosing a control method 42 Native species that can be confused with asparagus weeds 43 Detailed overview of control methods 44 Section 4 Holistic management of invasive vines and scramblers 69 A holistic approach to management 0 Management considerations in natural habitats invaded by asparagus weeds 3 ey management considerations 4 Section 5 Follow-up, restoration and monitoring 77 Follow-up 8 estoration Monitoring 84 Section 6 Case studies 89 Section 7 Further information 109 Declared status of WoNS asparagus weeds in Australia 0 Safety, native vegetation and cultural heritage information 2 Further information and contacts lossary 8 eferences Further reading 20 v National management Using this manual The continued spread of asparagus weeds Who should use this manual? threatens Australia’s biodiversity, including endangered coastal and forest ecosystems. The This manual has been written to assist anyone who Asparagus