Acaena anserinifolia

Acaena anserinifolia
Acaena anserinifolia in Fiordland National Park
Conservation status
Not Threatened (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Acaena
Species:	A. anserinifolia
Binomial name
Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.B.Armstr.

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

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 distinctive tuft of brush-like hairs surmounting the leaf teeth apices," and by silvery leaf undersides. ^[4]

Range

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

Bidibidis grow in lowland to subalpine areas, and on forest edges. They are sometimes hydrorphytic. ^[4]

Etymology

Anserinifolia is a reference to the leaves, which are like Potentilla anserina . ^[4]

References

1. "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
2. "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
3. "Acaena anserinifolia. Piripiri. Hutiwai. Bidibid. - Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga". Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
4. "Acaena anserinifolia". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
5. "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.