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Acaena anserinifolia

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Acaena anserinifolia
Some small bidibids centred in the photo
Acaena anserinifolia in Fiordland National Park

Not Threatened (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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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 "the distinctive tuft of brush-like hairs surmounting the leaf teeth apices," and by silvery leaf undersides.[4]

Range

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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

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Bidibidis grow in lowland to subalpine areas, and on forest edges. They are sometimes hydrorphytic.[4]

Etymology

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Anserinifolia is a reference to the leaves, which are like Potentilla anserina.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  2. ^ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  3. ^ "Acaena anserinifolia. Piripiri. Hutiwai. Bidibid. - Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga". Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Acaena anserinifolia". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  5. ^ "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.