Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in eastern Australia. It prefers light to heavy soils. It is mostly in poorly drained sites. It is more common in protected and partly shaded places. It is frost resistant. It is damaged by drought. In Tasmania it grows up to 1300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium.
Also known as:
Bidibid, Piripiri
Synonyms
- Acaena sanguisorbae Vahl.
- See Acaena novae-zelandiae
Edible Portion
- Leaves - tea
Where does Bidgee widgee grow?
Found in: Australia, Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Tasmania
Notes: There are about 100 Acaena species. The name has been misapplied to A. novae-zelandiae in some areas. The plant in Tasmania is Acaena novae-zelandiae.
Growing Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur
Cultivation: It can be grown from cuttings. It can also be grown by dividing the rootstock. It can also be grown by seed.
Edible Uses: A tea drink can be made from the dried leaves of this plant.
Production: The leaves are easily stripped off by running the hands along the stems. More leaves are needed than with tea.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves - tea | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Bidgee widgee, Buzzy, New Zealand Bur Photos
References
Biocyclopedia Edible Plant Species
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 37
Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 4:484. 1917
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 61
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 177
Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 46
Crowe, A., 1997, A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin. p 96
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 80
Curtis, W.M., 1956, The Students Flora of Tasmania Vol 1 p 172
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 133
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 192 (As Acaena sanguisorbae)
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 21 (As Acaena sanguisorbae)
Lamp, C & Collet F., 1989, Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. Inkata Press. p 2
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 7
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 33
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 145
Steenbeeke, Greg as part of the Plants Directory project. List of plant species from northern NSW that may be used as food plants p 2
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 50 (Acaena novae-zealandae)
Woolmore, E et al, 2002, King Island Flora: A Field Guide. p 70