piripiri

Acaena buchananii | piripiri, bidibid

 

A threatened, creeping herbaceous perennial forming a low, mat-like groundcover. It features pale blue-green evergreen foliage with distinctive red flower spikes held low and often partially hidden within the leaves. Slow growing and naturally sparse, this species prefers drier, free-draining sites and benefits from good air movement. In humid conditions, it performs best in exposed, breezy positions to reduce moisture around the foliage. Well suited to rock gardens, path edges, dry stone walls, and low-maintenance beds, it provides subtle colour, texture, and year-round cover. Its restrained growth habit and specialised ecological requirements reflect its vulnerability in the wild, making it an important species for conservation-minded planting.