– Etymology:
– Generic name “Acaena” derived from Greek akaina (thorn).
– Species:
– Accepted species by Plants of the World Online as of 2020:
– Acaena agnipila Gand.
– Acaena alpina Poepp. ex Walp.
– Acaena anserinifolia (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.B.Armstr.
– Acaena antarctica Hook.f.
– Acaena argentea Ruiz & Pav.
– Invasive species:
– Some species introduced accidentally to other areas attached to sheeps wool.
– Acaena novae-zelandiae common in the United Kingdom, crowding out native vegetation.
– In California, A. pallida, A. novae-zelandiae, and A. anserinifolia are serious weeds.
– References:
– Genus Acaena in Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) online database.
– RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants, Dorling Kindersley, 2008.
– The Dictionary of New Zealand English by H. W. Orsman, 1999.
– RHS Plant Selector Acaena microphylla AGM / RHS Gardening.
– E-Flora (Flora of North America) on Acaena, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
– External links:
– Wikimedia Commons has media related to Acaena.