Acaena novae-zelandiae is a small herbaceousperennial. It is stoloniferous with prostrate stems of 1.5 – 2 mm diameter.[5] Damage to stolons encourages new shoots to be produced.[6]
It has imparipinnate leaves, with 9–15 toothed, oblong leaflets, which are approximately 2 –11 cm long.[5] The adaxial surface of the leaves is dark green and shiny, and the abaxial surface is hairy and glaucous green in colouration.[2][5][7] The rachis of the leaves is often red.[5]
The scape is 10 – 15 cm long[5] and bears a globular, terminal inflorescence, of 20 – 25 mm diameter,[2] with 70 – 100 flowers.[5][7] The flowers lack petals and can range in colour from green to white or purple.[8] The flowers are wind pollinated.[6]
Each flower produces one achene, bearing four approximately 10 mm long spines,[2] tipped with barbs,[2][5][7] which aid dispersal by attaching to wool, feathers and various clothing materials.[9] When the fruit are ripe, these spines are red in colouration, later becoming brown.
It occurs within a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, shrublands and grasslands, from coastal areas to alpine areas.[2][7] It grows in freely draining soils such as silty and sandy loams, typically on sites which receive a high amount of sunlight.[7]
It also establishes readily on disturbed sites such as roadsides.[9]
Uses
Acaena novae-zelandiae may be used for ground cover in gardens or as a lawn substitute. This plant can be prevented from spreading by limiting disturbance to stolons, thus reducing vegetative propagation,[6] and by mowing flowers before the burrs form.[15]
It has also been suggested that dried "tiny tips"[16] of young succulent leaves may be brewed as tea.[15][16][17][18]
^ abcdeGynn, E; Richards, A (1985). "Acaena Novae-Zelandiae T. Kirk". Journal of Ecology. 73 (3): 1055–1063. doi:10.2307/2260167. JSTOR2260167.
^"Bidgee-widgee". Grains Research and Development Corporation. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
^ abMount, A; Pickering, C (2009). "Testing the capacity of clothing to act as a vector for non-native seed in protected areas". Journal of Environmental Management. 91 (1): 168–179. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.08.002. hdl:10072/29656. PMID19717222.