Snakefeather (Asparagus scandens)

Also known as: asparagus fern, climbing asparagus, climbing fern

Snakefeather is a creeping or climbing vine with thornless wiry stems. It poses a serious environmental weed threat to southern Australia.

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How does this weed affect you?

Snakefeather is a weedy member of the Asparagus genus that is native to southern Africa. It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant, and now poses a serious environmental weed threat to southern Australia. It is shade tolerant and competes with native plants for water, space and nutrients. Its tuberous root system forms a dense mat that prevents native seedlings from germinating, and its climbing stems can smother small understorey plants. 

In New Zealand it is the most damaging of all the asparagus weeds, and in Australia it is thought that snakefeather could have similar impacts to those of bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides).

Where is it found?

Infestations are scattered in Australia but are increasing, particularly in southern Victoria. There are also infestations in northern Tasmania, South Australia and south-west Western Australia. In New South Wales the worst areas of infestation are around Sydney and on Lord Howe Island. 

Infestations are found close to human habitation, but modelling predicts that snakefeather could potentially invade across coastal areas of New South Wales and central and southern Queensland.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Snakefeather during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

How does it spread?

Humans are a major cause of spread, through the movement and dumping of garden waste. Snakefeather is also spread when birds consume the fruit. 

What does it look like?

Snakefeather is a creeping or climbing vine with thornless wiry stems. It is perennial, and retains its above-ground foliage year-round. It has green, delicately-branching stems giving a fern-like appearance. The leaves are dark green and sickle-shaped, and occur in groups of three along the branchlets. 

Stems arise from a crown attached to masses of fibrous underground roots and tubers. 

Fruit are glossy round berries that ripen to orange-red, and usually contain one seed. 

References

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (2013), Asparagus weeds Management Manual: Current management and control options for asparagus weeds (Asparagus spp.) in Australia, Sydney

More information

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Control

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus surfactant
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

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Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Prune all shoots horizontally at the rhizome. Apply a 3-5 mm layer of gel across the cut surface on the rhizome. See label for further critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibition on certain dealings Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale.
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Notify local control authority if found. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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Reviewed 2024