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PIRIPIRI BIDIBID

Acaena anserinifolia

One of the most notable aspects of piripiri is the barb-tipped spines on the fruit. These spines allow the fruits of this endemic species to attach to passing animals, which then disperse these to new sites. In other parts of the world mammals are usually responsible for carrying such spiny seeds, but in Aotearoa New Zealand flightless birds with loose feathers, such as kiwi or weka, are the unwitting couriers.

Habitat and distribution: Herbfields, grassland, shrubland and open habitats of lowland, montane or subalpine areas. Common throughout Te Ika-a-Māui North Island, Te Waipounamu South Island, Rakiura Stewart Island, Rēkohu Chatham Islands and Motu Maha Auckland Islands.

Description: A hairy perennial herb with a creeping stolon up to 1m long, from which protrude ascending to erect stems up to 15cm long. The oblong leaves are up to 8cm long and have 9–13 serrated leaflets, as well as a toothed stipule at the base. The upper surface of the leaf is dull to brownish green, whereas the lower surface is pale green. The peduncles can be up to 12cm long, and are capped with an inflorescence that is a spiny spherical head, 1–2cm in diameter, when flowering or fruiting. The head comprises dozens of tiny flowers, each with four reddish sepals, two stamens with white anthers and one white feathery style. Each small flower develops into a small cone-shaped fruit about 3mm long, which is crowned with four brown barbed spines that are each about 2–3 times as long as the fruit itself.

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