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Acaena: The Intriguing World of Burr Plants
Acaena is a fascinating genus encompassing approximately 100 species of herbaceous perennial plants and subshrubs. These plants, primarily evergreen and often creeping, belong to the Rosaceae family.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Acaena species have spiny calyces (the outer part of the flower), which, according to the name's Greek origin, resemble thorns.
Scientific Nomenclature
- Genus: Acaena
- Family: Rosaceae
- Several species are mentioned, including:
- Acaena microphylla (Scarlet Bidi-bidi, New Zealand Burr)
- Acaena inermis ('Purpurea', Purple Sheep's Burr, Purple Goose-leaf)
- Acaena novae-zelandiae (Pirri-pirri-bur)
- Acaena ovalifolia
- Acaena pinnatifida
- Acaena exigua
- Acaena acutifida
- Acaena adscendens
- Acaena saccaticupula ('Blue Haze')
- Synonyms:
- Acaena pinnatifida subsp. aculeata is noted as a synonym for another, unspecified, plant.
- Acaena adscendens var. may be found under Hook., Fl. Antarct.
Distribution and Habitat
- Acaena species are mainly native to the southern hemisphere.
- Acaena ovalifolia is specifically mentioned as being from South America and commonly encountered in Northern Ireland.
- The text references their presence in New Zealand and Chile.
- They are often found as naturalized garden escapes on barish ground like banks and roadside verges, as well as near streams and reservoirs.
Morphological Characteristics
- Acaena plants typically form creeping mats of ground-covering foliage.
- They often have a woody base with herbaceous stems.
- Leaflets can be purple-brown to pale olive.
- Some species, like 'Purpurea', have deep purple foliage.
- 'Copper Carpet' grows as spreading mats of finely cut, coppery-grey leaves.
- The flowers of 'Copper Carpet' appear in summer as little white globes.
- Acaena novae-zelandiae leaflet upper surfaces can be dull and sparsely to densely covered with silky hairs.
Ecological Role
- Some species can be "tough and rampant" and are described as easily controlled.
- They can occur as "naturalised garden escapes".
Quirky Facts
- The name "Acaena" comes from the Greek word "akanthos," meaning thorn, referring to the spiny calyx found in many species.
- One species, ACAENA 'FUZZY HEADS', was collected from Chiloe Island and has been thriving in a "Chilean garden".
Further Resources
- The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) is mentioned as a source of information on Acaena microphylla.
- NBNSYS codes are provided, likely referring to records in a biodiversity database.
- EOL (Encyclopedia of Life) is referenced as a source of information.
- Wikispecies and Wikimedia Commons are mentioned as resources for Acaena.