> About the Working Group
> About Asparagus Weeds
> See also Stipoid Weeds
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Bridal Creeper
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About the Asparagus Weeds Working Group
The Asparagus Weeds Working Group (AWWG) was formed in 1999 in response to community concern regarding the spread of Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), Bridal Veil (A. declinatus) and other Asparagus weeds in the southern Fleurieu Peninsula region. The main aim of the AWWG was to develop and enact a strategic, coordinated, regional approach to managing Asparagus weeds and consequently to protect biodiversity in the region.
In 2006, the AWWG expanded its geographic area of interest to include the area covered by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management (AMLR NRM) Board.
About Asparagus Weeds
Six Asparagus weeds are known to have naturalised in the AMLR NRM Board region:
Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)
Bridal Veil (A. declinatus)
Asparagus Fern (A. scandens)
Edible Asparagus (A. officinalis)
Climbing Asparagus Fern (A. setaceus)
Ground Asparagus (A. aethiopicus)
Bridal Creeper and Bridal Veil are declared plants under the South Australian Natural Resources Management Act 2004 which means landholders are obliged to control these plants on their property. The other four Asparagus species are not declared in South Australia, however, they still pose a considerable threat to biodiversity values in the AMLR NRM Board region.
Asparagus plants have been introduced to Australia from their native South Africa for ornamental or horticultural purposes.
Asparagus weeds are generally characterised by non-woody, scrambling/climbing, annual shoots, a perennial root system of rhizomes (bearing shoot buds) and tuberous roots (storing nutrients and energy), and reproduction by berries and through the spreading of rhizomes.
Asparagus species are aggressive and highly invasive weeds that are capable of smothering native ground flora and small shrubs. They form a thick underground tuberous root mass, which inhibits growth of other plants and prevents overstorey regeneration.
Asparagus weeds are dispersed by birds eating the fruits and voiding the seeds, and are also spread by humans through plantings and dumped garden waste. Currently Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil and Asparagus Fern represent the main threats to biodiversity within the AMLR NRM Board region, with the other Asparagus weeds being limited in extent and/or impacts.
The AWWG is continuing to work towards control of Asparagus weeds within the AMLR NRM Board area by adopting new priority sites with high conservation value (download the 2006/07 AWWG newsletter for priority site locations). Control works centre on and around these priority sites in an effort to contain or eradicate any Asparagus weeds that may be threatening biodiversity values.
Other activities initiated by the Working Group include:
the widespread distribution of the Rust Fungus (Puccinia myrsiphylli) - a biological control agent for Bridal Creeper; (visit www.ento.csiro.au/weeds/bridalcreeper/index.html for more information on biocontrol for Bridal Creeper)
mapping the distribution of Bridal Veil and Asparagus Fern and implementing appropriate control programs for these weeds;
identifying emerging Asparagus weeds, such as Climbing Asparagus and Ground Asparagus, with the aim to control them before they spread and become unmanageable;
In addition, the Working Group plays an important role in raising awareness of the threat and management of Asparagus weeds in the AMLR NRM Board region. To do this, the Group undertakes the following acitivites:
circulation of the AWWG annual newsletter to landholders, community groups, councils, environmental managers and stakeholders;
media articles raising awareness about Asparagus weeds in local and statewide newspapers;
display of posters and Asparagus weed specimens in local shops or Council foyers encouraging people to contact the AWWG if they know of any Asparagus infestations;
weed management incentives in the form of herbicides and spray units (for sporewater purposes) are made available to people living in close proximity to priority sites;
holding workshops on how to identify Asparagus weeds and demonstrating the new Rust Fungus ‘sporewater’ technique;
information displays and ‘live’ specimens of Asparagus weeds in pots exhibited at field days held throughout the region.
Considerable achievements have been made by the AWWG in the fight to contain, control and eradicate Asparagus weeds in the AMLR NRM Board Region. The AWWG looks forward to working closely with community groups, landholders and individuals in 2006 and beyond.
For further information about Asparagus weeds or if you have an Asparagus weed problem on your property or conservation area in the AMLR NRM Board region then contact the AWWG Project Officer Emma Stephens for advice in controlling these weeds.
Contact
Phone: 8389 6166
Mobile: 0438 885 165
Email: emma.stephens@adelaide.nrm.sa.gov.au
Postal Address
PO Box 37
Lobethal, SA 5241