Acaena buchananii
Common name
bidibid, piripiri
Synonyms
Acaena buchananii var. picta Allan, A. buchananii var. inermis Bitter, A. depressa Kirk
Family
Rosaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
ACABUC
Chromosome number
2n = c.42
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Gradual Decline
Distribution
Eastern South Island from Marlborough to Otago. Lowland to montane short dry tussockland and turf, mainly in inland basins. In the drier parts of Central Otago it can be locally common especially in closely grazed non-improved pasture.
Habitat
Montane riverbeds and tussock grassland.
Features
Leaves milky green or grey, lacking pattern of darker veins; heads unstalked; fruits c. 10 per head; fruit spines with soft hairs bent backwards at tip.
Similar taxa
Perhaps closest to A. tesca B.Macmillan from which it differs by its more compact growth form, with densely tufted leafy stems, pale milky green or grey foliage, by the almost imbricate 5-6 leaflet pairs, and by the compressed capitula with the yellow spines held erect. The status of A. buchananii var. picta (grey leaves and red spines) needs further study.
Flowering
Flowers in December
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Fruiting
Unknown
Life cycle
Spiny hypanthia are dispersed by attaching to fur, feathers and clothing and possibly also dispersed by wind and granivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Very easy from rooted pieces.
Threats
Habitat destruction through land development such as cultivation, oversowing, irrigation, orchard and vineyard establishment.
Etymology
acaena: From the Greek ‘akanthos’ thorn, referring to the spiny calyx that many species have
buchananii: Named after John Buchanan (13 October 1819-1898) who was a New Zealand botanist and scientific artist and fellow of the Linnean Society.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 August 2003.
References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Acaena buchananii Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/acaena-buchananii/ (Date website was queried)