Acaena agnipila Gand.

Herbaceous perennial, forming clonal clumps, glabrate to pilose throughout; stems erect, 15–80 cm high. Lvs narrowly obovate to oblanceolate, (3.5)–8–15–(22) cm long, imparipinnate; leaflets in 8–13 pairs, ± sessile, ovate to oblong, up to 15–(25) mm long, pilose to glabrate above and densely pilose below; teeth serrate, up to 15–(18), 1/2–3/4 to midrib. Infl. spicate, branched or not, interrupted at fruiting. Sepals 5, 1–2.5 mm long, sparsely pilose. Stamens 3–7; anthers purple. Styles 1–(2), white. Fr. 20–70, ovoid, c. 3 × 2 mm, scarcely ridged, glabrous or pilose; spines 12–55, over whole surface, ± equal and lacking a thickened conic base, 1–2–(3) mm long, red, barbed at tip.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Feb.; Fruiting: Dec.–Mar.