Embedded Files
About
About
Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) is a declared weed in Australia due to its highly invasive nature and ability to spread across various ecosystems. Originally introduced as an ornamental garden plant in the 1870s, it has become a significant environmental threat.
The plant forms an extensive underground network of tubers, creating a dense mat that smothers native vegetation and is challenging to remove without heavy machinery. Its climbing stems and foliage can also outcompete native plants for sunlight, further reducing biodiversity. The plant spreads through both tubers and bird-dispersed seeds, allowing it to rapidly invade new areas, including forests, coastal dunes, and wetlands.
Control methods include physical removal, which requires carefully digging out the tubers to prevent regrowth, and chemical control for larger infestations. The bridal creeper rust (Puccinia myrsiphylli) has also been introduced as a biological control, helping to reduce the plant’s growth. However, ongoing management is still needed as bridal creeper has a persistent seed bank that can continue germinating for years.
Control options
Control options
Chemical
Chemical
Due to legal requirements, PHBG cannot recommend specific herbicides. Please click the links below for specific chemical control options for this weed.
Physical
Physical
Bridal creeper can be physically controlled by digging out tubers, but this is labour-intensive and must be repeated to prevent regrowth.
Biological
Biological
In 2000, the bridal creeper rust fungus (Puccinia myrsiphylli) was released in Australia as a biological control agent. This rust infects the weed's leaves and stems, absorbing nutrients and reducing the plant's ability to grow and reproduce. Infected plants often exhibit yellowing leaves that fall prematurely. The rust becomes active in autumn, spreading prolifically over winter and peaking in spring.
Landholders can assist in its distribution by collecting spores from infected plants and applying them to healthy bridal creeper populations.
Read on to learn how you can make your own biocontrol spray for bridal creeper.
How to make a bridal creeper rust solution
How to make a bridal creeper rust solution
We've created a short video to show how simple and quick it can be to make a bridal creeper rust solution, to be used to spread rust from affected to healthy bridal creeper. Our friends at Leschenault Biosecurity Group have also created written instructions (see More resources).
Our team is always keen to hear of any sightings of bridal creeper with bridal creeper rust on public land, if it is easily and safely accessible. Please let us know by emailing the location to our Weeds Officer, or letting us know on Facebook.
Report a bridal creeper hotspot
Report a bridal creeper hotspot
With your help, the PHBG can identify locations of declared weed infestations. We want to know about infestations that concern or affect you. Click the green button below to open the reporting form in a separate tab.
More resources
More resources
Report abuse