Acaena novae-zelandiae

Botanical Description

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a prostrate, evergreen perennial plant with creeping stems that form new roots at the nodes and become more or less woody. The plant forms a spreading mat of growth around 15cm high, higher at times when the stems become somewhat climbing in habit[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and for making a tea. It is often grown as an ornamental, making an attractive and effective ground cover. A very invasive plant, spreading freely by its seed which readily attaches itself to clothing, fur etc. It can also be spread by people throwing away parts of the plant, which will soon root and grow into a new clump. and by its procumbent rooting stems[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].