MING ASPARAGUS FERN

Description Shrubby plant with a fern-like appearance, 1–2 m tall, occasionally up to 3 m.

Leaves Clusters of 20–30 leaf-like cladodes (modified stems) are needle-like, hairless, usually slightly curved, 12–25 mm long and about 0.5 mm wide. Somewhat resemble pom-poms along the stem.

Flowers Dense clusters of small, bisexual (male and female parts present), white to cream flowers, on short stalks. Flowers from spring and early summer.

Fruit Round green berries ripen to black, 6–10 mm wide.

Stems Older stems are pale grey to whitish and have small spines.

Roots Relatively short, fleshy, tuberous roots.

Dispersal Seed dispersed by birds, foxes, reptiles, other animals eating and excreting the seed and waterways. May also be spread by seed and vegetative reproduction from root fragments in dumped garden waste.

Confused with Other weed and introduced Asparagus spp.

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Manually remove where appropriate. Foliar spray, applying herbicide to actively growing plants. Ensure that all parts of the plant are covered with herbicide mix. Cut and paint or cut scrape paint.