Botanical name:

Acaena pallida

Common name(s):

Sand bidibid, Sand piripiri

About:

A green-leaved coastal species with relatively large flower heads. It is highly tolerant of salt-laden winds and serves as an effective sand binder, making it ideal for coastal environments.

Natural habitat:

Lowland coastal dune-fields & open exposed grasslands.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Coastal, Salt, Wind, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Southern North and South Islands, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Also S.E. Australia and Tasmania.

Height: 15cm

Flowering:

Summer with a red coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Autumn with a spiny red seed head.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & ground cover

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed, cuttings or division.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though