Acaena novae-zelandiae
Red Bidibidi, also known as piripiri or New Zealand burr, is a vigorous and widespread native New Zealand perennial herb that forms extensive prostrate, trailing mats up to 1.5 meters wide with hairy stems reaching up to 1 meter long and 15cm high, featuring attractive pinnate leaves with 9-15 serrated leaflets measuring 4-17mm long that display bright, shining green upper surfaces (often with red rachis) and glaucous, hairy lower surfaces with distinctive hair-tipped teeth along recurved margins. This robust member of the Rosaceae family produces small white flower clusters (capitula) about 9mm in diameter from October to February, followed by the species' most distinctive feature - conspicuous obconic fruits armed with 4 striking red barb-tipped spines measuring 7.5-12mm long that effectively attach to fur, feathers, and clothing for natural seed dispersal from November to June. Found throughout New Zealand from lowland to alpine environments (0-1700m elevation) and extending to Southeast Australia and New Guinea, this adaptable stoloniferous species colonizes diverse habitats from forest edges to open grasslands, scrublands, and coastal environments where it thrives in freely draining silty and sandy loams in high-sunlight situations. With its proven garden merit for ground cover applications, container plantings, and rockeries, plus its ease of cultivation from fresh seed or rooted pieces in temperate and coastal conditions, this hardy and fast-spreading native makes an excellent choice for naturalistic plantings, lawn alternatives, and areas requiring robust ground cover where its attractive foliage, fascinating spiny fruits, and authentic New Zealand heritage can create dynamic displays while supporting local wildlife through its prolific seed production and habitat provision. ground covers
Image credit: Red Bidibidi (Acaena novae-zelandiae). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Acaena novae-zelandiae |
|---|---|
| Height | Up to 15cm (prostrate mat) |
| Spread | Up to 1.5m (extensive mats) |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate (drought tolerant) |
| Light | Full sun preferred |
| Frost Tolerance | Excellent (widespread native) |
| Salt Tolerance | Good (coastal native) |
| Growth Rate | Fast (vigorous spreading) |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Red Bidibidi is naturally adapted to New Zealand's diverse climates from lowland to alpine conditions. As a widespread native species, it demonstrates excellent tolerance across different environmental conditions and climate zones.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal (coastal conditions) |
| Auckland | Ideal (widespread) |
| Hamilton | Ideal (widespread) |
| Tauranga | Ideal (coastal native) |
| Rotorua | Ideal (widespread) |
| Gisborne | Ideal (widespread) |
| New Plymouth | Ideal (coastal conditions) |
| Napier | Ideal (widespread) |
| Whanganui | Ideal (widespread) |
| Palmerston North | Ideal (widespread) |
| Wellington | Ideal (coastal conditions) |
| Nelson | Ideal (widespread) |
| Christchurch | Ideal (widespread) |
| Dunedin | Ideal (widespread) |
| Invercargill | Ideal (widespread) |
Red Bidibidi has adaptable soil preferences:
Strong sunlight preferences:
Low to moderate moisture needs:
Red Bidibidi requires minimal but strategic maintenance:
The vigorous spreading habit and attractive foliage are the main attractions, but this species may require management to prevent excessive spread in some garden situations.
The best time to plant Red Bidibidi is during spring or autumn when conditions favor establishment, though this hardy species can be planted almost year-round in suitable climates.
Choose a site with:
Water regularly during first growing season and ensure excellent drainage at all times. This vigorous native ground cover establishes quickly with minimal care but may require management to control spread.
Seed propagation is highly effective:
Vegetative propagation through stolons:
Highly effective natural spread:
Red Bidibidi (Acaena novae-zelandiae) represents both the traditional knowledge of New Zealand's indigenous flora and the remarkable success of native plants in international horticulture:
Today, Red Bidibidi serves as an excellent example of New Zealand native plant success in cultivation, representing both the traditional botanical knowledge of common indigenous species and the horticultural potential of native ground covers for modern landscape applications worldwide.
Provide excellent drainage and consider spread management strategies. This vigorous native can be very successful but may require control measures to prevent it becoming too aggressive in garden situations.
Red Bidibidi is the ultimate "set and forget" New Zealand native ground cover - once established, it just takes care of itself and spreads to create fantastic mats up to 1.5 meters across! The red spiny burrs are absolutely fascinating - they stick to everything with their barbed spines, which is how the plant spreads naturally (and how you'll end up with seedlings all over your garden!). Kids love pulling the burrs off their socks and clothes. It's incredibly easy to grow from fresh seed or just divide established plants. The key is excellent drainage and full sun - then stand back and watch it go. Just be aware it can be quite vigorous, so you might want to mow the flowers before the burrs form if you want to control where it spreads. Perfect for large areas, banks, or anywhere you want tough, attractive ground cover that celebrates New Zealand's natural heritage!
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Acaena novae-zelandiae, also known by common names such as red bidibid, bidgee-widgee, buzzy, and piripiri bur, holds cultural significance primarily through its traditional medicinal uses and its interaction with human activities and the environment. In Australian Indigenous cultures, the plant was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Young leaves were prepared as a tonic to promote overall health, particularly for addressing kidney, bladder, and stomach issues. Crushed leaves were also applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic paste or wash to prevent infections and aid healing. For Māori in New Zealand, boiled piripiri leaves were incorporated into traditional rongoā medicinal practices, serving as a healing tonic or a lotion for skin application. The smoke from burning piripiri was used as a traditional remedy for those poisoned by tutu. Infusions of the leaves were consumed for kidney ailments and as a diuretic, and a cold decoction of boiled leaves was a known tonic for rheumatism, kidney troubles, and sometimes venereal disease. Additionally, a decoction was used for "hakihaki" (the itch), and an infusion of the whole plant was used for gallstones. Early European settlers in New Zealand also utilized Acaena novae-zelandiae, making tea from its boiled leaves during times when imported tea was scarce. Beyond medicinal uses, the plant is widely recognized for its distinctive hooked seeds, which readily attach to clothing and animal fur. This characteristic made it well-known to New Zealand children but also posed challenges for livestock farmers, as the burrs could injure animals or reduce the quality of wool. The common name "bidi-bidi" is a corruption of the Māori name "piripiri." Despite sometimes being considered a nuisance due to its sticky burrs, it is acknowledged as an interesting species with historical and cultural utility. It can also be used as ground cover in gardens or as a lawn substitute, and its dried young leaves can be brewed into a tea.
Acaena novae–zelandiae (red bidibidi, piripiri) is a vigorous, stoloniferous ground cover forming prostrate mats with pinnate leaves and conspicuous red burrs. The fruits bear barbed spines that readily attach to fur and fabric, aiding dispersal. Stems root at nodes, creating dense, weed–suppressing carpets across sunny, free–draining ground.
Widespread from coastal to alpine zones across New Zealand, occupying open grasslands, scrub, forest margins, dunes, and river flats. It favours full sun and freely draining soils, tolerating wind, periodic drought, and coastal conditions.
Dense mats stabilise soil and reduce erosion on banks and dunes. Flowers support insects; barbed fruits disperse on animals and clothing over considerable distances. The species can form significant ground cover in native grasslands and disturbed sites.
Useful as a hardy, low ground cover in restoration and coastal plantings where rapid soil binding is needed. It contributes to habitat complexity at ground level and can function as a living mulch, though spread should be managed in small gardens.
Space plants 40–60 cm apart depending on coverage goals. Water to establish; thereafter, irrigate only in extended droughts. Mulch lightly to suppress weeds without burying stems. Minimal feeding maintains compact, resilient growth.
Clip edges after fruiting to manage spread and maintain a neat edge. Remove accumulated debris that could smother mats. Improve drainage if patches thin in winter. In gardens, prevent unwanted spread by lifting runners beyond intended areas.
Excellent for large sunny banks, dunes, and naturalistic gardens where robust ground cover is required. Pairs well with coastal grasses, coprosmas, and flaxes. Consider location carefully due to its effective burr dispersal.
Common and widespread. In ecological plantings, use eco–sourced stock appropriate to the region. Manage competition from invasive weeds and consider animal movement where burr dispersal could conflict with conservation goals.
Red Bidibidi (Acaena novae-zelandiae) shares the distinguished medicinal heritage of the Acaena genus, particularly the extensively documented traditional uses of piripiri species in Māori rongoā (traditional medicine) systems. As one of the most widespread and vigorous members of the bidibidi family, this species carries forward the traditional knowledge that recognized Acaena plants as valuable therapeutic resources, used by both Māori and European settlers for diverse health applications throughout New Zealand's colonial and pre-colonial periods.
Like other piripiri species, Red Bidibidi was traditionally valued for its versatile medicinal properties, including preparation as herbal teas and infusions for treating kidney and bladder disorders, serving as a natural diuretic to support urinary health, and providing therapeutic relief for rheumatism and joint inflammation. The plant's traditional external applications included treatment of open wounds, contusions, and various skin conditions including "hakihaki" (the itch), while also serving as a general health tonic that supported overall vitality and wellness in traditional healthcare systems.
Traditional preparation methods involved boiling the leaves and stalks to create medicinal teas with specific strength guidelines - weak tea strength for children and strong tea for adults - reflecting sophisticated understanding of appropriate dosage. The prepared liquid was typically consumed cold, with standard administration of one teaspoon for children and two teaspoons for adults taken twice daily. This traditional medicine was highly regarded by healers and communities, earning recognition as an effective remedy for numerous health complaints and demonstrating the sophisticated ethnobotanical knowledge that characterized traditional Māori medical practices.
The traditional name "piripiri" (from "piri" meaning "to cling") reflects the plant's characteristic dispersal mechanism through barbed spines, while the widespread adoption of bidibidi species by both Māori and European settler communities demonstrates their proven effectiveness and cultural importance in New Zealand's medical heritage. Today, this traditional knowledge represents an important component of indigenous pharmaceutical understanding, contributing to the preservation of Māori cultural practices and the recognition of New Zealand's native flora as sources of valuable therapeutic compounds and traditional healing wisdom.
Piripiri holds deep cultural significance in traditional Māori medicine (rongoā), where it was valued as a versatile healing plant with multiple therapeutic applications. The plant's Māori names—piripiri, hutiwai, and bidibidi—reflect its important place in traditional plant knowledge, with the name "piripiri" being particularly widespread and giving rise to various English adaptations like biddy-biddy and bidgee-widgee. In rongoā practice, piripiri was commonly prepared as infusions and decoctions using specific traditional methods, with different concentrations prescribed for children (weak tea color) and adults (strong tea color). The plant's medicinal applications were extensive and well-documented by traditional healers. Piripiri was particularly valued for kidney and urinary tract health, used as a diuretic and remedy for bladder troubles, with specific dosages traditionally given twice daily. For wound care and skin conditions, the leaves were boiled or steeped in hot water and applied directly to open wounds, contusions, and to treat skin irritations like "hakihaki" (the itch). Additionally, piripiri served as a general tonic and was used internally for rheumatism, stomach complaints, and various other ailments, demonstrating its versatility in traditional Māori healthcare. The plant's cultural importance extended beyond medicine, with historical records showing that both Māori and early Pākehā settlers used piripiri leaves for tea during times of scarcity. This practice highlights the plant's role not only as medicine but as an emergency food resource, reflecting the comprehensive plant knowledge that characterized traditional Māori resource management. Today, piripiri remains an important part of New Zealand's traditional medicine heritage, representing the sophisticated understanding of plant properties that Māori developed over centuries of observation and use.
Known by the Māori names bidibidi, hutiwai, and piripiri, these plants were traditionally used to make medicinal teas by both Māori and early Pākehā settlers. The leaves and roots were also prepared as ointments for treating wounds and various medical conditions.