Bridal Creeper is climbing weed. Twisting stems can grow up to three metres long with shiny green alternate leaves. This weed has white flowers, which appear in late winter, early spring, with green berries turning pink then red/burgundy in late spring-early summer

Shoots emerge annually in autumn from an underground system of a branching roots and tubers. The shoots scramble across the ground and climb shrubs and trees. These shoots cease growth at flowering; they normally die in late spring, but may survive longer in areas with sufficient summer rainfall.

Bridal creeper comes from southern Africa and is a highly invasive weed in Australia, being listed as a Weed of National Significance. This plant is difficult to control as all underground material must be removed to ensure the plant is killed. Herbicide treatment can be effective but often requires multiple applications.

Photos courtesy of Neil Tucker.