Bridal Creeper

Asparagus asparagoides

Quick facts

Status

Declared Pest / WoNS

Life Cycle

Perennial

Growth Form

Vine

Origin

Southern Africa

Flowers

White/pale green

Dispersal

Birds, mammals

Names

Other Common Names: African asparagus fern, Baby smilax, Bridal veil, Bridal veil creeper, Florists' smilax, Smilax, Smilax asparagus.

Form and function

Seeds germinate in winter and typically reach maturity in around 3 years. Although its wider leaves can make it appear to be a broadleaf plant, it is actually a monocot. Seeds can persist in the soil seedbank for 2 to 3 years when buried. Plants generally survive fire, allowing populations to persist after fire events. Mature plants commonly grow 1 to 3 metres high, although they can occasionally reach up to 5 metres.

Flowers

Small, white to pale green flowers that are lightly scented and grow individually in the leaf axils.
Flowers are about 3 to 9 mm wide.
Tubular shape with 6 petals that may curve backwards.
Doesn’t rely on insects for pollination.

Leaves

Leaf‑like structures called cladodes, which are flattened stems that act like leaves.
Cladodes are green, smooth and slightly glossy.
Oval to lance‑shaped (oblanceolate) and 10 to 70 mm long.
They are soft, stalkless and have fine parallel veins with no obvious midrib.

Fruits

Produces small, round, bright red berries that are fleshy.
Fruits start off green and mature to red.
Each fruit contains up to 10 seeds.
Fruits are 3 to 4mm in diameter.
Can produce more than 1,000 berries per square metre.

Roots

Forms a dense underground network of rhizomes and fleshy tubers.
Tubers act as storage organs, helping the plant survive harsh or dry conditions.
Rhizomes can grow new shoots, allowing the plant to spread and regrow after dieback.
The root system forms thick mats below the soil surface, making it difficult to remove.
90% of the biomass is underground.

Habitat

Grows in areas with a Mediterranean climate (winter rainfall). Prefers fertile, well-drained soils of light texture including sand, clay, loam and granite soils. Able to survive summer drought. Found in a range of environments including dry coastal vegetation, heathland and heathy woodland, mallee shrubland, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, damp sclerophyll forest, riparian vegetation and rock outcrop vegetation.

May be confused with...

Similar non-native species: Similar to some other asparagus ferns (Asparagus spp.), however it can be easily distinguished by its larger and broader leaves.

Other similar species include Clematis microphylla, Billardiera scandens, Eustrephus latifolius and Geitonoplesium cymosum.

How does it spread?

Seeds are spread both locally and over long distances by birds, rabbits and foxes that consume the fruit. The species can also spread through its extensive root system, the movement of contaminated soil during grading activities and the dumping of garden waste containing seeds or root fragments, allowing it to easily invade roadsides and native vegetation.

Why is it a weed?

The climbing stems form a dense canopy which smothers other vegetation.
Masses of underground roots can extend to form a thick, dense mat which destroys under storey-plants and often prevents seedling establishment and reduces soil moisture and nutrients.
Supresses the growth of other ground flora but its profusion of rhizomes and tubers below ground.

History

First recorded in Australia in 1857 and by the 1870s was a common garden plant and was popular in floral arrangements.

How to control

Physical

Physical/mechanical control is very difficult. It is not effective unless all the rhizomes are dug up and destroyed. Physical control is only possible for new and small infestations or as a follow up after several years of herbicide control of a larger infestation. Hand pulling can only be used for small plants/infestations and if the plant breaks leaving any part of the rhizome behind, the plant will immediately grow back.

Chemical

Selective

For actively growing plants, apply a mix of 0.02 g metsulfuron-methyl (600g/kg) and 25mL of a compatible wetter with 10 L of water using a foliar application method. No effect will be seen until the following season which should show reduced growth that will need retreatment

Non-selective

For actively growing plants, apply a mix of 1L of glyphosate (450g/L) with 2L of water and apply to the leaves and stems using a wick application/wiping method with a sponge glove or brush ensuring to avoid other non-target species. This method is slower but more selective than using the foliar application method.

Broader foliar spray with glyphosate is not recommended in bushland due to off-target impacts.

Managerial

For larger infestations, fire can be used to remove the above ground biomass and can help to improve the effectiveness of herbicide application by improving access for spraying. In some cases, fire may also help destroy the seed and dense, rhizomatous root mat. However this method should be used together with chemical control methods, and the use of fire requires government authority permission and may endanger the surrounding native vegetation.

Biological

Three biological control agents have been released in Australia;

the leafhopper (Zygina sp.), which feeds on photosynthetic cells causing whitening which was released in 1999
the rust fungus (Puccinia myrsiphyllii) is highly effective as it attacks leaves and stems, significantly impacting tuber reserves which was released in 2000
the leaf beetle (Crioceris sp.) that targets young expanding tissues of leaves and shoot tips, reducing biomass and fruit production which was released in 2002.

The rust fungus and leafhopper have caused the most significant impacts on the bridal creeper and can stop the plant from flowering and fruiting.

Image credits

Flower (1) © Juan Ignacio Davoine

Leaves (2) © Juan Ignacio Davoine

Infestation © TimeInOurHands

References

Atlas of Living Australia. (n.d.) Asparagus asparagoides (L.) W.Wight. Atlas of Living Australia.

Brown, K., & Brooks, K. J. (2003) Bushland weeds: a practical guide to their management With case studies from the Swan Coastal Plain and beyond. Environmental Weeds Action Network

CRC Weed Management. (2003) Weed Management Guide - Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides). Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.

Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation. (2006, September). Asparagus Weeds Best Practice Management Manual. Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation

Government of South Australia. (n.d.). Bridal creeper. Landscape South Australia.

State of NSW. (2013). Weeds of National Significance Asparagus Weeds Management Manual. Office of Environment and Heritage .

Urban Bushland Council WA. (n.d.) Bridal Creeper. Urban Bushland Council WA.

Weeds Australia. (2019, March). Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil Creeper, Smilax, Florist’s Smilax, Smilax Asparagus. Weeds Australi

Weeds of Australia. (n.d.) Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce. Weeds of Australia; Lucidcentral.

Western Australian Herbarium (1998–) Florabase—the Western Australian flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Life Cycle

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	Notes
Dormant
Active growth
Flowering
Germination
Fruiting

Regularly or most commonly

Occasionally, given suitable conditions

Management

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	Notes
Physical
Chemical
Fire

Optimal

Potentially, but conditionally dependent

Last updated: October 2026

Bridal Creeper

Quick facts

Names