Bridal veil

• Multi-branched delicate scrambler plant that grows up to 2.5m high.
• Leaves are soft, needle-like, grey-green to 20mm long, occurring in groups of 3.
• Flowers are small, greenish-white, solitary or in pairs on short stalks.
• Fruit are spherical or ovoid, up to 8–15mm in diameter.
• Fruits ripen from green to pale bluish-grey or whitish-translucent, containing 2–14 seeds.
• Roots are a dense mat of fibrous rhizomes, with clusters of thick bulb-like ribbed tubers to 6cm long—stems arise from the length of the rhizomes.

• Found in temperate climates.
• Grows in a wide range of environments, including exposed rocky outcrops and pine forests to woodlands and coastal habitats.

• Visit Weeds Australia and click on the distribution tab to access the distribution map.

• Usually flowers July–October.
• Fruit appears in late winter to midsummer.
• Germinates March–August.

Environmental

• Becomes dominant at both ground and shrub layer, displacing native plants, even in undisturbed systems.

• Spread by fruit-eating birds and possums, foxes, rodents and lizards.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Remove berries, seeds and entire crown of underground stem with sharp knife to prevent regrowth.
• Follow up to control seedling germination and regrowth from missed tubers.

Herbicide control

• Herbicide control is effective.
• Use spot spray and cut-stump methods.

Read the asparagus fern fact sheet (PDF, 1.5MB) for herbicide control and application rates.

Biological control

• No known biological control agent.

• Bridal veil is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with African boxthorn under your control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
• At a local level, each local government agency must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on bridal veil. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local council for more information.