Bridal creeper

• Creeping plant with twisting stems up to 3m long.
• Leaves are glossy green, solitary, alternate, broadly ovate 10–70mm long, 8–30mm wide.
• Numerous shoots grow from 1 patch of roots and entwine with native vegetation.
• Berries are pea-sized and green when young, ripen to be red, sticky, 6–10mm in diameter, usually contain 2–3 black seeds.
• Flowers are white, dainty, 8–9mm in diameter.
• Stems are covered with heart-shaped green leaves.
• Seeds are black, shiny, 3–4mm in diameter.

• Grows well in citrus orchards and pine plantations.
• Can grow in most soils but is most common near coast where it invades woodlands and open coastal vegetation.
• Thrives in areas high in nutrients such as drainage lines and roadsides next to farms.
• Tolerates frost and drought.

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

• Seeds germinate in autumn to early winter.
• Produces more than 1,000 berries per square metre.
• Becomes dormant in November.
• New growth begins February–March.
• Flowering occurs August–September.

Environmental

• Smothers native plants.
• Forms a thick mat of underground tubers, impeding root growth of other plants and preventing seedling establishment.
• Invades undisturbed habitats.
• Threatens low shrubs and ground cover plants in mallee, dry sclerophyll forest and heath vegetation.

Economic

• Causes losses to primary industries (e.g. by shading citrus and avocado trees and interfering with fruit picking).

• Seeds spread by birds, rabbits and foxes that eat fruit.
• Also spread by movement of soil containing roots.

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

Physical control

• Difficult to control.

Herbicide control

• Herbicides are most effective method of control.

Biological control

• Biological control agents have been released in southern Australia. These agents are giving good control in many areas.

• Bridal creeper is a category 2, 3, 4 and 5 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not give away, sell or release bridal creeper into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• All sightings of Bridal creeper must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours of the sighting.
• You must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with Bridal creeper 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 creeper. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local council for more information.