biddy biddy (Acaena novae-zelandieae)
ODA rating: B
Other common names
bidibid, bidgee-widgee, piri-piri-bur
Description
Perennial that grows four to eight inches tall. Biddy-biddy spreads by stolons that root at the nodes and plants form large mats where individual plants are indistinguishable. The plant stems are prostrate to erect depending on conditions. Leaves alternate and compound, with mature plants having 5 to 11 leaflets 1/4-2/3 inches long. Flower heads spherical, and turn into a round bur that disperses as a unit when mature.
Impacts
This plant prefers open, disturbed, well-drained sites, including stable dunes, open scrub, grassy areas, and trampled sites in coastal habitats where some summer moisture is available and frosts are infrequent. Plants thrive on poor soils and compete poorly with established vegetation.
Click on photo below to view larger image
Images courtesy of Ken French, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture.
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If images are downloaded and used from the ODA web site please be sure to credit the photographer.
Introduction
It is believed that this plant first spread from New Zealand to other countries in contaminated shipments of wool.
Distribution in Oregon
The first record of biddy-biddy in Oregon is 1951 in Curry County.
Map legend
Yellow: limited distribution
Red: abundant
Grey: not known to be present
Biological Controls
No approved biological control agent is available at this time.
Informational links
WeedMapper
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