- Botanical name: Acaena novae-zelandiae
- Common name: Pirri pirri bur
- Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Succeeds on poor soil
Native to Australia and New Zealand, pirri-pirri bur, Acaena novae-zelandiae, is a short, creeping plant popular in container planting schemes and rockeries. It forms dense mats of lobed bronze leaves, from which ball-like heads of hooked seeds (burs) appear.
In recent years it has spread to the wild through seed and the dumping of garden material. It is now found in a variety of wild habitats including sand dunes, cliffs, heaths and disused railways, where it poses a threat to native plants. It’s easily spread by seed via its hooked bur, and can be invasive.
How to grow Acaena novae-zelandiae
-
Plant size
25cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do not Collect seeds in May |
J
Do not Collect seeds in June |
J
Do not Collect seeds in July |
A
Do not Collect seeds in August |
S
Do Collect seeds in September |
O
Do Collect seeds in October |
N
Do not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Acaena novae-zelandiae and wildlife
Acaena novae-zelandiae has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Acaena novae-zelandiae poisonous?
Acaena novae-zelandiae has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
