piripiri
about.
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.
typical habitat.
tussock grasslands
drainage.
dry
well drained
free draining
sun.
full sun
mature specifications.
height | 30cm
width | 30cm
pollinators calendar.
flowering | November-December
fruiting | December-April
did you know?
The plant is most famous for its unique, cone-shaped fruits (burrs) which have four hair-tipped, backward-facing spines that are typically yellow or red. These burrs are a key feature and a primary means of seed dispersal, as they readily attach to animal fur, feathers, and clothing.
