Blue Mountain Bidibid

Botanical name: Acaena inermis

Common name(s): Blue Mountain Bidibid, Spineless Bidibid

Plant facts:

A low-growing, mat-forming native ground cover with soft blue-grey to purple-toned foliage. Unlike many other bidibid species, the seed heads are spineless or nearly spineless, making it a popular ornamental choice for gardens and pathways.

Natural habitat:

Found in montane to alpine grasslands and riverbeds.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wind, Drought & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the central North Island and throughout much of the eastern South Island.

Height:

Approximately 4 cm tall, spreading up to 50 cm or more wide

Flowering:

November – January (sometimes extending into March)
Produces small white globe-shaped flower heads.

Fruiting:

November – May
Develops pale cream to light brown seed heads with reduced or absent barbed spines.

Uses:

• Ground cover
• Rock gardens and alpine plantings
• Pathway edging
• Erosion control
• Bee food

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A creeping, rhizomatous perennial forming loose spreading mats. Stems root at the nodes as they spread.

Leaves:
Leaves are finely divided with 11–15 rounded leaflets. Foliage ranges from dull green and grey-blue to purple tones, often creating attractive colour variation.

Flowers:
Rounded white flower heads are produced above the foliage during summer.

Fruit:
Seed heads are distinctive for lacking the strongly hooked barbs common in other bidibids. Spines may be absent or soft and barbless, turning pale brown or cream as they mature.

How to grow:

Easily grown in full sun and free-draining soils. Ideal for dry gardens, alpine plantings, and low-maintenance ground cover. Propagation is usually by division or seed.