The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I have the sticky creeping bidibid in my garden but cannot find the botanical name for it. It is not the one with red bids .The burrs are small and green/ brown. Both our dogs eats this plant when they have an upset gut. I am trying to find out what properties it has. Maybe I should contact MAF

Hi Clare, it looks like you might have decided on A. novae-zelandiae base on the tit;e of your post.

Here is a good database to find out medicinal uses of native plants: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/data/nga-tipu-whakaoranga-maori-plant-use-database.

Hi Clare
It sounds to me as though you are referring to Galium aparine (Cleavers). It's what we call sticky bidibid up this way. There is an article on its medicinal qualities under the name Clivers at Botanical.com. Hope this helps.

Hi Clare, The medicinal qualities that your dogs are seeking are probably either tickling the throat to induce vomiting or as a long fibre to wrap around sharp objects such as bone/wood fragments, birds beaks etc prior to vomiting. Our sheep enjoy it but the wool-buyer doesn't.