Sheep's Burr

Sheep's Burr

Sheep's Burr

Acaena echinata


Perennial. Common on the Victorian Volcanic Plains grasslands. This plant is wind pollinated and has small, insignificant flowers with no petals.


Details Description
Type
Herb
Group
Bramble and Burr
Identifying Characteristics

Herb growing to 40 cm tall from a rosette of leaves at ground level. Leaves bluish-green, divided into numerous leaflets with toothed edges. Small flowers whitish-green, forming a long spike along the flower stem. The flowers develop into spiny burrs (seed heads). Flowers August-November.

Distinctive Features

Fern-like leaves. Stems red without hairs. Spiky burrs (seeds).

Life Form Group
Herb
Life Form Codes
Medium Herb (MH)
EVC types
EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_62: Lighter-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 68: Creekline Grassy Woodland
EVC 803: Plains Woodland
Native Status
Native to Australia
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Rosales
Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Acaena
Species
echinata
Sheep's Burr
Occurs in Victoria and all other Australian states except the Northern Territory.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Endangered Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.