Sheep's Burr

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Sheep's Burr - Colleen Miller

Acaena echinata

Spreading herb with running stems growing to 40 cm tall from a rosette of leaves at ground level. Leaves bluish-green, not hairy, divided into numerous leaflets with toothed edges. Small flowers whitish-green, forming a long spike along the flower stem. The flowers develop into spiny or spiky burrs (seedheads).

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Fern-like leaves that are hairless. Stems red without hairs. Spiky burrs (seeds).
Biology

Perennial. Common on the Vicn Volcanic Plains grasslands. This plant is wind pollinated and has small, insignificant flowers with no petals.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Aug-Nov
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Rosales
Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Acaena
Species
echinata

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

There are at least five varieties of this species found in Vic, with intermediates also occurring.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar to Hairy SheepÕs Burr A. ovina, but almost hairless leaves and stems distinguish it.
Native Status
Native