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Acaena novae-zelandiae

Acaena novae-zelandiae

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Pirri pirri burPerennialFamily: Rosaceae

Height: 25cmSpread: 50cm

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full sun

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

Soil

Succeeds on poor soil:

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

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. While Acaena species are not on the Government's list of invasive plants for England and Wales, they are considered invasive non-native plants in Northern Ireland, where it is an offense to plant or cause them to grow in the wild. In Scotland, it is an offense to plant any non-native plants in the wild.

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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:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People