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Acaenia anserinifolia - (J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)Druce.                
                 
Common Name Pirri-Pirri Bur
Family Rosaceae
Synonyms A. novae-zelandiae. A. sanguisorbae.
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open positions from lowland to the montane zone in North, South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand[44].
Range Eastern Australia, New Zealand. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of flower
Acaenia anserinifolia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jun to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.


Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Acaenia anserinifolia Pirri-Pirri Bur


Acaenia anserinifolia Pirri-Pirri Bur
   
Habitats       
 Ground Cover;
Edible Uses                                         
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea.

The leaves are used as a substitute for tea[2, 144, 173, 183].
Medicinal Uses


Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiphlogistic;  Diuretic;  Vulnerary.

The leaves are antiphlogistic, carminative, diuretic and vulnerary[61].
Other Uses
A good ground-cover plant, tolerating some treading[200]. A carpeting plant, rooting as it spreads[208].
Cultivation details                                         
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in ordinary well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[133, 200]. Requires a warm position[208]. Adaptable to poorly-drained soils in Australia[157]. A very invasive plant, spreading freely by its procumbent rooting stems[K]. It is low-growing, however, and so can be grown as a ground cover amongst taller plants[K].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Germination, which can be very poor, usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 10°c[133]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots, planting them out in the summer. Division in April or October. Very easy, the plants can be divided at any time of the year if required, though it will need to be done in a greenhouse during the winter months. Cuttings - August in a cold frame.
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
(J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)Druce.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
44200
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

  [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[44]Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand.
The standard work, in 3 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats.
[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[133]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
[144]Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia.
A very good pocket guide.
[157]Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants.
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.
[173]Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.
A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.
[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[208]Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

Readers comment                                         
 
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Subject : Acaenia anserinifolia  
             

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