Australian Sheep's Burr

Images ©:
©Elspeth Swan

Acaena ovina

An upright herb growing to 60 cm tall. Divided leaves with five or more pairs of leaflets. More hair on the underside of the leaf than on the top. Fruit bears small spines.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Small insignificant flowers with no petals. Burrs have 3-6 fine spines that are longer than the rest.
Biology

Perennial. This plant is wind-pollinated. Well-drained soils, widespread in a variety of habitats including basalt soils.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Sep-Apr
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Rosales
Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Acaena
Species
ovina

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Seedheads stick to animal fur and clothing.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Distinguished from Sheep's Burr A. echinata by the hairy leaves, and from Hairy Sheep's Burr A. agnipila by having 3-6 fine spines that are longer than the rest on the burr.
Native Status
Native