Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur
Acaena anserinifolia

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 100 Acaena species. The name has been misapplied to A. novae-zelandiae in some areas. The plant in Tasmania is Acaena novae-zelandiae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in eastern Australia. It prefers light to heavy soils. It is mostly in poorly drained sites. It is more common in protected and partly shaded places. It is frost resistant. It is damaged by drought. In Tasmania it grows up to 1300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Britain, Europe, New Zealand (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

A tea drink can be made from the dried leaves of this plant.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings. It can also be grown by dividing the rootstock. It can also be grown by seed.

The leaves are easily stripped off by running the hands along the stems. More leaves are needed than with tea.

Its other names

Local names

Bidibid, Piripiri

Synonyms

Acaena sanguisorbae Vahl.; See Acaena novae-zelandiae