Learning at Landcare - from Pam

It’s winter, which on the Awabakal seasonal calendar is Takarir, the cold time when the tall spikes of the Gymea lily (minmai) flower red and the wattle blossoms, reminding us that the humpback whales are heading north. It was the shortest day of the year (winter solstice) on 21 June, so the days are getting longer, and Spring is on its way.

At Landcare we have our eyes peeled for seasonal weeds, aiming to remove weeds before they flower and produce seeds that are spread by birds, wind and water run-off. Landholders can help by removing these weeds, or at least the seeds, before they spread into the bush.

Common weeds which keep us busy each Thursday include Asparagus Fern, Mother of Millions, Lantana, Madeira Vine, Morning Glory, Privet, and Thunbergia.

If you would like to replace your weeds the “Grow me instead’ guides are helpful and Lake Mac Landcare at Teralba has local native plants for sale.

Asparagus Fern – A Pretty Plant Turned Problem Weed

Once popular as a decorative indoor pot plant, Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) is now listed as a Weed of National Significance. While it might look attractive, this aggressive invader poses a serious threat to native bushland, growing in a range of soil types, from full sun to shade, and across a range of environments. It has adapted remarkably well to the conditions on the Coal Point peninsula, from the woodlands on the ridge tops to rainforest gullies and wetlands, it can be found everywhere.

Asparagus fern forms dense, smothering mats that outcompete native groundcovers and understorey plants, preventing their germination and growth. This alters the natural landscape and reduces biodiversity. A new climbing variety has even been detected in the Lake Macquarie LGA.

How It Spreads

The plant flowers from spring onwards, producing green to red berries from spring to summer, though berries can be found year-round. These are spread by birds, foxes, reptiles, and even flowing water or dumped garden waste. Significant infestations are found along the west ridge of Coal Point, Stansfield Reserve, and in local gardens, which can serve as sources for further spread into bushland.

Plants can shoot from the central rhizome, a specialsed stem that grows horizontaly underground. The watery tubers don’t regrow, they are just an energy and water store for the plant.

What You Can Do

Seedlings and small plants: Hand-pull or dig up, ensuring the entire rhizome is removed.

Larger plants: Cut around the central rhizome, like doring an apple, this is called crowning.use a sturdy garden knife or mini mattock and remove the ‘cored out crown’ from the site.

Wear gloves: The plant has sharp, prickly stems.

Always remove the berries! Seed dispersal is the main way asparagus fern spreads, with each plant producing up to 600 seeds per year! Cut off any berries and place them in your red-lid bin. Also collect any fallen berries—green ones can ripen and produce viable seeds even after being removed from the plant.

More info on Asparagus Fern 

Watch this short, informative video: Remove Asparagus Fern – Pittwater Ecowarriors  1b

Wattle I grow instead?

There are over 1,000 species of Acacia in Australia, and several beautiful varieties are local to our area. One of the standouts is Acacia longifolia (Sydney Golden Wattle), a fast-growing shrub reaching 3–4 metres. It produces bright golden cylindrical flower spikes and offers a range of benefits—stabilising erosion-prone soils, providing protective shade for young seedlings, and acting as a natural screen.

Wattle seeds grow in pods and have even been traditionally eaten after roasting. Their value in regeneration, habitat creation, and aesthetics makes them a top choice for local gardens.

However, not all wattles are welcome. The Queensland Silver Wattle (Acacia podalyriifolia) is considered a weed in our area. Although it is an Australian native, it doesn’t belong here and aggressively outcompetes local species.

If you’re looking to plant local wattles, consider these suitable options:

Golden/Sunshine Wattle (Acacia terminalis) – flowers early to mid-autumn.

Sickle Wattle (Acacia falcata) – a tall open shrub (4–5m), flowering in early winter.

Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) – a small to medium tree with creamy ball-shaped flowers in summer.

Prickly Moses (Acacia ulicifolia) – a hardy, early-flowering shrub.

Heath Wattle (Acacia brownii) – a compact shrub (up to 1m) with bright yellow spring flowers.

Want to get started? Lake Macquarie residents can join the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program and receive two free native plants, a planting guide, and discounted tubestock from the Landcare Nursery at Booragul.

Fun fact: Wattles don’t attract nectar-feeding birds—but they do attract insects, which in turn support insect-eating birds. It’s biodiversity in action!