Acaena anserinifolia
| Acaena anserinifolia | |
|---|---|
| Acaena anserinifolia in Fiordland National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Acaena |
| Species: | A. anserinifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.B.Armstr.
| |
Acaena anserinifolia, the bidibidi, hutiwai, or piripiri,[2] is a species of plant, endemic to New Zealand. It has been introduced to the UK and Ireland.
Bidibidi can be used to make a tea, used by both Māori and Pākehā settlers in New Zealand, as well as in ointments for wounds and medical purposes.[3]
Description
The bidibidi is a small plant with deeply divaricated opposite leaflets and long stems ending in a globular capitulum. The flowers are pink, red, or white.[4]
It can be told from Acaena novae-zelandiae by "the distinctive tuft of brush-like hairs surmounting the leaf teeth apices," and by silvery leaf undersides.[4]
Range
The plant is native to the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. It has been introduced to Antipodean Islands, Great Britain and Ireland.[5] It is naturalised on the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island.[4]
Habitat
Bidibidis grow in lowland to subalpine areas, and on forest edges. They are sometimes hydrorphytic.[4]
Etymology
Anserinifolia is a reference to the leaves, which are like Potentilla anserina.[4]
References
- ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Acaena anserinifolia. Piripiri. Hutiwai. Bidibid. - Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga". Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Acaena anserinifolia". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.B.Armstr. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 10 March 2025.