Asparagus scandens Thunb., Asparagaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Myrsiphyllum scandens (Thunb.) Oberm.

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Perennial herbaceous, scandent, up to 2 m tall, probably evergreen.  Rhizome small, covered by fusiform roots 20-40 mm long, tapering towards root-tips.  Stems twining, wiry.  Phylloclades arranged close together on one plane on both sides of branchlets, the whole resembling the frond of a fern, ternate on alternating sides, one cladode somewhat longer than other 2, shallowly S-shaped, apiculate, 1-nerved, c. 8-17 x 1 mm.  Scale-leaves minute, forming fringed white membranous tufts at nodes.  Flowers pendulous, 1-3 at node, on pedicels up to c. 10 mm long, articulated below attenuated pericladium.  Tepals spreading, c. 4 mm long, white.  Stamens attenuated towards apex; anthers green or yellow.  Ovary globose with 3-4 ovules in each locule; style erect short, with 3 spreading stigmas.  Berry globose, c. 8 mm in diameter, orange or red, 1-2 seeded" (Obermeyer, 1984; p. 86).

Habitat/ecology:  "A shade-loving plant, frequent in wooded areas, needing moisture all the year round, apparently evergreen" (Obermeyer, 1984; p. 86).  In New Zealand, "disturbed and intact lowland and coastal forest, shrublands, mature broadleaf and/or podocarp forests, epiphyte niches, and forest edges. Forms dense patches on ground or sub-canopy in most forest types, Tolerates moderate to heavy shade, most soil types, moderate to high rainfall, and hot to cold temperatures. Smothers forest floor and understorey to 4 m, preventing the establishment of native plant seedlings and growth of established species. Raises light levels, causing the invasion of further weeds. Can ringbark and kill soft-barked shrubs and trees, and invades areas where epiphytes are usually found, replacing already vulnerable species"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Propagation:  Seed.  "Birds spread the seeds and tubers resprout after being spread in dumped vegetation and soil. Common sources include waste areas, hedgerows, exotic forests, and roadsides"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Native range:  Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (Obermeyer, 1984; p. 86).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) var. deflexus J.G. Baker Cultivée
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 254) Seen only once in cultivation.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive cultivated	George, A. S., ed. (1987) (p. 165) Also naturalized on Phillip Island, Victoria. Vouchers cited: K. Mills 10 (NSW), A.C. Beauglehole ACB 72893 (MEL) Naturalized.
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Healy, A. J./Edgar, E. (1980) (p. 52) Voucher cited: A. J. Healy (CHR 152288)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Newfield, M. (year unknown)

Comments:  Reported as an invasive plant in northern New Zealand (per Melanie Newfield, pers. com.).

Control:  "Tubers usually resprout after spraying, stems break at ground level so plants cannot be pulled. Tuber fragments survive digging.  Follow up at least 6-monthly. Seed longevity probably short. Replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical:  "Dig out tubers. Dispose of at a refuse transfer station, burn or bury. Other plant material can be left on site to rot down.

Chemical:  1. Weed wipe: glyphosate (333ml /L), no penetrant. Total coverage not required.
2. Spray (spring-early summer only): glyphosate (20ml/L). Do not add penetrant when spraying against tree trunks. Spray lightly, avoiding runoff, total coverage not required.
3. Spray (autumn and winter in frost free areas and on healthy growth): glyphosate (10ml/L).  Infestations of plants taller than 60cm should be cut at a height of 30-60cm then this lower vegetation can be carefully sprayed. The remaining cut material will die without the need for treatment. Spot spray any missed plants within 30-60 days."  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Additional information:
Photos and additional information at the Environment Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, web site of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Information sheet from Weedbusters New Zealand.

Additional online information about Asparagus scandens is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Asparagus scandens as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Asparagus scandens may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. 2011. Base de données botaniques Nadeaud de l'Herbier de la Polynésie Française (PAP). (online resource).

George, A. S., ed. 1987. Flora of Australia. Vol. 45, Hydatellaceae to Liliaceae. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. .

Healy, A. J./Edgar, E. 1980. Flora of New Zealand, Volume III: Adventive cyperaceous, petalous & spathaceous monocotyledons. Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand. 220 pp.

Newfield, M. 0. Melanie Newfield, pers. com.

Obermeyer, A. A. 1984. Revison of the genus Myrsiphyllum Willd. Bothalia 15.

Sykes, W. R. 1970. Contributions to the flora of Niue. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 200, Wellington. 321 pp.