Acaena anserinifolia
Acaena anserinifolia | |
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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
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Binomial name | |
Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.B.Armstr.
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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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Bidibidis grow in lowland to subalpine areas, and on forest edges. They are sometimes hydrorphytic.[4]
Etymology
[edit]Anserinifolia is a reference to the leaves, which are like Potentilla anserina.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "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.