Ming asparagus fern (Asparagus macowanii)

Also known as: pom-pom asparagus, zig-zag asparagus

Ming asparagus fern is a shrubby, ornamental plant that has become a potentially serious environmental weed of the eastern and southern Australian coasts.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Ming asparagus fern has the potential to invade a wide range of coastal and sub-coastal plant communities from north-east Queensland to eastern South Australia, and south-west Western Australia.

It strongly competes with native ground cover and understorey plants by forming dense infestations that can smother, and prevent the germination and establishment of other species.

It can attain very large and continuous infestations.

Where is it found?

Ming asparagus fern is a native of south-eastern Africa. It was introduced into Australia as an ornamental plant and was first recorded naturalised in 2001 near Brisbane. It is now naturalised in coastal and sub-coastal areas of south-east Queensland and very sparingly down to central New South Wales.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Ming asparagus fern 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?

Ming asparagus fern primarily reproduces from seed, but can also spread vegetatively from the roots.

The main growth period is from autumn through to spring, but green foliage is present year-round. Flowering chiefly occurs in spring and early summer. Fruit set occurs from spring to summer, but fruit can be present year-round.

Fruit are spread by birds, foxes, reptiles and other animals that can deposit seeds far from the parent plants. Fruit are also spread by water and dumping garden waste.

Vegetative spread is primarily by people dumping garden waste.

What does it look like?

Ming asparagus fern is a shrubby plant with a fern-like appearance, usually growing 1-2 m tall; although it occasionally grows to 3 m.

The root system consists of relatively short, fleshy, tuberous roots.

Older stems are pale grey to whitish and have small spines.

Leaf-like cladodes (modified stems) are needle-like, hairless, usually slightly curved, 12-25 mm long and about 0.5 mm wide. They are borne in cluster of 20-30 along the stems; the clusters somewhat resemble pom poms.

Flowers are small, bisexual (both male and female parts present), white to cream, borne on short stalks and arranged in dense clusters. They are produced in large numbers for a short period in summer.

Berries are 6-10 mm in diameter, rounded, green at first and turning purple to pinkish-red or with a bluish bloom to black as they mature. Fruit are borne year round.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Ming asparagus fern prefers semi-shaded situations.

It is primarily found in the understorey of drier forests, but has the potential to invade riparian areas, forest margins, open woodlands, urban bushland, coastal environs, roadsides, disturbed sites and waste areas. 

Acknowledgements

Author: Harry Rose

Reviewers: Rod Ensbey, Elissa van Oosterhout

References

Office of Environment and Heritage (2013). Asparagus weeds management manual: current management and control options for asparagus weeds (Asparagus spp.) in Australia. Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney. 

Technigro (2011) Weed Watch: Ming asparagus fern. Available at: http://www.technigro.com.au/Ming%20asparagus%20fern%20-%20web.pdf 

More information

back to top

Control

Suspected plants should be reported to the local council weeds officer for assistance with positive identification, control and removal.

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

---

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate in 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray application
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: 1 part glyphosate in 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump / scrape stem application
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: 1 - 2g in 10 L of water, plus a non-ionic surfactant
Comments: Spot spray application
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

---

Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

back to top

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.
Greater Sydney	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. 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. Notify local control authority if found.
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
North Coast	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. 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. Notify local control authority if found.
South East	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. 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. Notify local control authority if found.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

back to top

Reviewed 2023