Asparagus asparagoidesCommon name: Bridal Creeper
Meaning of name: Unknown
Distribution: Occurs throughout the southwest from Dongara to Cocklebiddy.
Description: A climbing and sprawling plant with fragrant white and green flowers from August to September. Following flowering, it bears bright red berries that are up to 1 centimetre in diameter.
Notes: Bridal Creeper is a declared plant meaning that landholders are required by law to control this plant on their land. This plant is one of the State’s worst environmental weeds. Biological control agents, a rust, Puccinia myrsiphylli, and a leafhopper, Zygina sp., released since 1999 are showing potential in reducing fruiting and dominance of this weed. The plant is native to South Africa and was introduced as an ornamental.
References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.
This plant is showing damage caused by the leafhopper, Zygina sp.
This plant is showing damage caused by the rust fungus, Puccinia myrsiphylli.
