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Useful Temperate Plants

Acaena novae-zelandiae

Kirk

Rosaceae


Most of the records for the uses of this plant are under the name Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Druce (synonym Acaena sanguisorbae L.f. ex Vahl). However, the range given is usually Australia and New Zealand, with the plant also being naturalized in Britain. The given range does not fit with the known range of this species, but does fit with the range of the very similar Acaena novae-zelandiae Kirk (synonym Acaena sanguisorbae subsp. novae-zelandiae (Kirk) Bitter). In all probability, since the plants are so similar, they were used interchangeably but we are moving the records to this species for the sake of accuracy[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Acaena anserinifolia auct.

Acaena sanguisorbae subsp. novae-zelandi (Kirk) Bitter

Common Name: Pirri-Pirri Bur

Acaena novae-zelandiae
Plant being grown as part of a revegetation project on the Koonung Creek, Box Hill, Melbourne, Australia
Photograph by: Scottwatson
Creative Commons License
Acaena novae-zelandiae Acaena novae-zelandiae Acaena novae-zelandiae Acaena novae-zelandiae Acaena novae-zelandiae Acaena novae-zelandiae

General Information

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a prostrate, evergreen perennial plant with creeping stems that form new roots at the nodes and become more or less woody. The plant forms a spreading mat of growth around 15cm high, higher at times when the stems become somewhat climbing in habit[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and for making a tea. It is often grown as an ornamental, making an attractive and effective ground cover.
A very invasive plant, spreading freely by its seed which readily attaches itself to clothing, fur etc. It can also be spread by people throwing away parts of the plant, which will soon root and grow into a new clump. and by its procumbent rooting stems[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

44
Title
Flora of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Allan. H. H.
Website
http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml
Publisher
Government Printer, Wellington.
Year
1961
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

Eastern Australia, New Zealand.

Habitat

Open positions from lowland to the montane zone in North, South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand[
44
Title
Flora of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Allan. H. H.
Website
http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml
Publisher
Government Printer, Wellington.
Year
1961
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Perennial
Height0.10 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


An easily grown plant, it succeeds in ordinary well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Requires a warm position[
208
Title
Plants for Ground Cover
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons
Year
1990
ISBN
0-460-12609-1
Description
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
]. Adaptable to poorly-drained soils in Australia[
157
Title
Australian Native Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M.
Publisher
Collins. (Australia)
Year
1988
ISBN
0-7322-0021-0
Description
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
].

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a substitute for tea[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
144
Title
Wild Food in Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Cribb. A. B. and J. W.
Publisher
Fontana
Year
1976
ISBN
0-00-634436-4
Description
A very good pocket guide.
,
173
Title
Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Crowe. A.
Publisher
Hodder and Stoughton
Year
1990
ISBN
0-340-508302
Description
A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are antiphlogistic, astringent, carminative, diuretic and vulnerary[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. An infusion is used in the treatment of kidney problems[
292
Title
People Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://peopleplants.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source.
]. A decoction is used as a tonic, to treat bladder and stomach complaints and rheumatism. This used to be highly thought of as a remedy, and a proprietary medicine was developed from it, though we have no knowledge of whether it is still in use[
292
Title
People Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://peopleplants.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The leaves are boiled, allowed to stand and the liquid drunk cold. It is said to be an effective tonic and remedy for rheumatism, kidney troubles and perhaps also venereal disease[
292
Title
People Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://peopleplants.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source.
].
Applied externally an infusion of the leaves is used as a wash on open wounds, itches, is rubbed on contusions and applied to the genitals (of women?) the treat painful urination[
292
Title
People Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://peopleplants.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source.
].

An infusion of the whole plant is used to treat gallstones[
292
Title
People Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://peopleplants.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

A good ground-cover plant, spreading freely and tolerating some treading[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. A carpeting plant, rooting as it spreads[
208
Title
Plants for Ground Cover
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons
Year
1990
ISBN
0-460-12609-1
Description
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
]. The plant spreads vigorously and can be used, within its native range, to stabilize soils on banks, roadsides etc[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination, which can be very poor, usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 10°c[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots, planting them out in the summer.
Division in spring or early autumn. Very easy, the plants can be divided at any time of the year if required, though it will need to be done in a greenhouse during the winter months.
Cuttings - mid-summer in a cold frame.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Acaena+novae-zelandiae>

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