Acaena novae-zelandiae

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a small herbaceous perennial. It is stoloniferous with prostrate stems of 1.5 – 2 mm diameter. The rachis of the leaves is often red. The flowers are wind pollinated. Each flower produces one achene, bearing four approximately 10 mm long spines, When the fruit are ripe, these spines are red in colouration, later becoming brown. ==Taxonomy and naming==

Acaena novae-zelandiae was first formally described in 1871 by Thomas Kirk who published the description in Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. The genus name (Acaena) is derived from the Ancient Greek word akaina meaning "thorn" or "spine", referring to the spiny calyx of many species of Acaena. The specific epithet (novae-zelandiae) refers to New Zealand. == Distribution and habitat ==

Red bidibid is native to New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. It has also become naturalised in California, Great Britain and Ireland. It occurs within a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, shrublands and grasslands, from coastal areas to alpine areas. It grows in freely draining soils such as silty and sandy loams, typically on sites which receive a high amount of sunlight. It also establishes readily on disturbed sites such as roadsides. ==Uses==

Acaena novae-zelandiae may be used for ground cover in gardens or as a lawn substitute. This plant can be prevented from spreading by limiting disturbance to stolons, thus reducing vegetative propagation, It has also been suggested that dried "tiny tips" of young succulent leaves may be brewed as tea. == Gallery ==

File:Acaena novae-zelandiae Aberystwyth.jpg|Spines of Acaena novae-zelandiae File:Acaena novae-zealandiae seeds on glove.jpg|Acaena novae-zelandiae seeds on a glove, demonstrating their ability to attach easily to articles of clothing. ==References==