Holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)
Holly fern is a clumping ornamental fern with glossy, leathery fronds up to 50 cm long. It can outcompete native plants.
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How does this weed affect you?
Holly fern is an ornamental fern that grows in thick clumps and has spreading mats of roots and stems. It outcompetes native plants.
What does it look like?
Holly fern is a clumping fern that grows to about 1 m tall. It has fern-like leaves (fronds) that grow up to 50cm long. The fronds look a bit like holly branches. The underside of leaves are covered in small, brown dots called sori, where they spores live. Plants are green year-round.
Leaves (fronds):
Fronds are made up of pairs of leaflets growing alternately along central stalk. They have 4-15 pairs of leaflets. The fronds are up to 50 cm long. Frond stalks have reddish-brown scales.
Leaflets:
- glossy, dark green
- thick and leathery
- wavy edges
- sickle-shaped with pointed ends
- 6-10cm long, up to 3cm wide.
Spores:
Spores are the reproductive part of ferns. They are contained in structures called sori, which are round, brown spots that grow underneath leaves. The spores start out light green and become dark when ripe.
Stems/Roots:
Holly fern has rhizomes, which are short stems that grow above or in the soil. They are covered with reddish-brown scales.
Where is it found?
Holly fern is found in coastal areas of northern and central New South Wales, including Lord Howe Island and around Sydney harbour. It is also a weed in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
Overseas it is a weed in New Zealand, Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, Oceania and the United States of America. It is native to eastern Asia.
Holly fern is a garden and indoor plant that is widely grown and has escaped to become a weed.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Holly fern prefers moist, free draining, fertile soil and shady areas. It also tolerates some sun and dry conditions. It prefers to grow in coastal areas, including cliffs and rocky crevices that give shelter from very cold conditions.
Plants grow:
- in coastal areas
- on cliffs, rocky outcrops and waterfalls
- along creeks, drains and ditches
- over structures including concrete.
How does it spread?
Holly fern can spread by spores or plant parts. Spores are spread by wind, water and contaminated soil on machinery, shoes and tyres.
Plants also spread through rhizomes, when garden waste is dumped.
More information
Control
Hand weeding
Seedlings and small plants can be hand pulled or dug out. Weeding will be easier in damp soil. Dispose of plant material (including leaves with spores) appropriately to stop regrowth or spread.
Chemical control
Spot spray
Spray actively growing plants. Cover all of the foliage.
Wiping
This method is useful when avoiding desirable plants growing nearby. Wipe the herbicide onto the leaf with the applicator or wand.
Splatter gun
Splatter-guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 500 mL to 1 L per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
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
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
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 20 parts water
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
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
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 10 g per 1 L of water plus surfactant
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
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
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. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2024
