Acaena sp.

A Sheep's Burr at Michelago, NSW

Acaena sp. at Michelago, NSW - 16 Aug 2018
Acaena sp. at Michelago, NSW - 16 Aug 2018
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Identification history

Acaena sp. 11 Sep 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Acaena sp. 8 Sep 2018 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 4 Sep 2018 Illilanga
Cheilanthes distans 4 Sep 2018 Illilanga

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User's notes

Private property. No public access without permission. Emerging plant with larger old, dry stems. Hairy leaves.

6 comments

Illilanga wrote:
   4 Sep 2018
My first suggested species still stands. It was removed for some reason when I edited and updated my author's notes.
   8 Sep 2018
May be an old flower stalk in the picture
Illilanga wrote:
   8 Sep 2018
Thanks Michael. I'll add it to my list of plants to check! It was a bit of green amongst all the brown which is why it caught my attention.
BettyDonWood wrote:
   10 Sep 2018
If it is Cheilanthes distans, the upper surface of the leaf is sparsely hairy with white hairs, and the lower surface has golden brown scales.
AaronClausen wrote:
   11 Sep 2018
I'm not convinced this one is C. distans. It looks different to me.. Not hairy enough and even slightly different shaped leaves?
Illilanga wrote:
   11 Sep 2018
I think you are all correct that it is Acaena sp. After looking at the Acaena photos, we definitely have them on our property in various locations and I couldn't see any brown scales underneath. I'll get better photos when they flower plus check my older photos. The leaves are just sprouting at the moment. Thanks for your help with the ID.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 16 Aug 2018 01:30 PM Recorded on
  • Illilanga Recorded by

Additional information

  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height

Species information

  • Acaena sp. Scientific name
  • A Sheep's Burr Common name
  • Not Sensitive
  • Local native
  • Non-Invasive
  • Up to 1166m Recorded at altitude
  • Machine learning
  • In flower

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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