The Friends of
Shenton Bushland
Inc.
How will we find our wild hearts inside this city;
How will we find the deep peace?
A. Stevens
Bushland Activities page (blog)
Bushland Management Strategies
Individual Management Strategies:
Management Strategy for Bridal Creeper(Asparagus asparagoides)
The first outbreak of bridal creeper(Asparagus asparagoides) was detected in Shenton Bushland in December 2002. It was located in a degraded area near Lemnos Street in former Health Department land.
This outbreak is a high priority to eradicatewhile it is easily managable.
Since Bridal Creeper is spread by birds, it can occur anywhere within the bushland and requires constant vigilance to control.
Notes on bridal creeper control
Bridal Creeper:
- arises from rhizomes supported by a tuberous root mat
- is dormant over summer. Growth triggered by falling temperatures and first rains of autumn
- vegetative reproduction is via yearly expansion of rhizomes supported by a perennial tuberous root mat. Mat is usually 5-10cm below the soil surface and upt to 10cm thick. The rhizomes have a series of water tubers along their length and new shoots always arise from the rhizome, never directly from the tuber
- birds are the agents of medium to long distance dispersal of the small red berries and are the major mechanism for establisment of new populations in undisturbed areas
- the seed contained within the fleshy berries generally germinates or decays within 2 years
- the rhizomes attached to the tubers will produce new shoots from any tiny fragments left behind
- slashing back to the stem bases every month over the flowering season for several years severely weakens the plants (cf Tammar wallaby grazing on Garden Island)
- herbicide application is effective from flowering through to the green berry stages, although it is most effective at flowering
- glyphosate is effective, Metsulfuron methyl (which can remain active in dry, alkaline soil and is absorbed by roots for many months)
- biological control - leaf hoppers, and rust fungus (which seems to be more effective)
- time to flowering 2-3 years
- flowers in Aug-sept
- spray glyphosate 1% and pulse or Metsulfuron methyl 0.15% and pulse (when flowering)
Control Methods
Since the outbreak is presently believed to be one single plant in a degraded site, our initial control approach is to dig it out when it appears in Autumn 2003. Additionally, search for any seedlings from previous flowerings.
If physical removal is unsuccessful, chemical control recommended in Managing Perthıs Bushlands is Roundup/Glyphosate 360 at 1 in 100 when actively grrowing from July to September. Repeat applications are necessary.
Monitoring Methods
Revisit the original infestation regularly between Autumn and Spring to ensure that no new plants appear.
Keep a lookout throughout the bushland.
Unfortunately, bridal creeper may not stand out during its growing phase. It is most noticable in December when the plant dies off and leaves turn pale. By then the plant has produced berries which may be carried off by birds to spread the infestation.
