Sand Bidibid

Botanical name: Acaena pallida

Common name(s): Sand Bidibid, Sand Piripiri, Pale Bidibid

Plant facts:

A vigorous coastal ground cover with glossy bright green foliage and distinctive red hooked seed heads. This dune-specialist species spreads rapidly by creeping stems, helping stabilise sandy coastal environments.

Natural habitat:

Restricted to coastal fine gravels and sand dune systems.

Growing environment:

Coastal, Salt, Sun, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Native to New Zealand, south-eastern Australia, and Tasmania. In New Zealand it occurs in the southern North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, and the Chatham Islands.

Height:

Approximately 15 cm tall, spreading up to 2 m wide

Flowering:

October – January
Produces rounded white flower heads.

Fruiting:

October – May
Develops red hooked burrs that mature pale brown or golden-brown.

Uses:

• Coastal ground cover
• Sand dune stabilisation
• Erosion control
• Coastal restoration planting

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A trailing perennial herb that spreads via creeping stolons which root at the nodes, forming extensive loose mats.

Leaves:
Leaves are glossy bright green and pinnately divided with 9–15 bluntly toothed leaflets. The upper surface is hairless and shiny, while the underside is pale and softly hairy.

Flowers:
Rounded white flower heads are held above the foliage on hairy upright stems.

Fruit:
Produces distinctive cone-shaped burrs with long red hooked spines that cling to fur, feathers, socks, and shoelaces for dispersal.

How to grow:

Best grown in full sun and very free-draining sandy or gravelly soils. Exceptionally tolerant of salt spray, coastal winds, and drought once established. Ideal for coastal gardens and dune restoration projects.