Acanthospermum australe (Paraguayan starburr,Acanthospermum australe. United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile ihi kukae hipa, Paraguay bur, Paraguay starbur, pipili, sheepbur, or spiny-bur) is a South American species of herbaceous plants first described as a species in 1758.Loefling, Pehr. 1758. Iter Hispanicum 268–269Kuntze, Carl Ernst Otto. 1891. Revisio Generum Plantarum 1: 303 in GermanTropicos, Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze
Distribution The species is native to: South America, within Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Colombia Caribbean, within Grenada; Martinique; St. Vincent, and Grenadines
It has been introduced in China, and is an invasive species in parts of the United States, Canada, and South Africa. It is currently a widespread pioneer in the tropics and sub-tropics.Tropicos specimen listings, Acanthospermum australe Flora of North America Vol. 21 Page 37 Acanthospermum australe (Loefling) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 303. 1891. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map
Extracts Extracts of Acanthospermum australe have in vitro antiviral activity against herpesvirus and poliovirus, but clinical effects have not been studied.
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