bearded beggarticks

Family

Fabaceae

Scientific Name

Bidens aristosa

Other Common Names:

beggar ticks

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Bidens polyepis var. retrorsa

Bidens polyepis

Bidens aristosa var. retrorsa

Bidens aristosa var fritcheyi

Bidens involucrata

Bidens aristosa var. mutica

Habit

forb/herb

Leaves

The alternate leaves are pinnately or bipinnately dissected, with each segment lanceolate and toothed or lobed on the margin.

Identifying Characteristics

Bur marigold is an upright annual herb (1-5 feet tall) with a tap root.Bur marigold grows and flowers best in full sun, but is also adapted to partial shade. Plants are often found growing in open shade along the edge of a woodland. It is adapted to most soil types, except for very sandy soils. Natural stands are generally found on moist sites such as in ditches, marshes, and wet meadows.

Flower Seed Head

Plants produce numerous solitary flower heads held on long stalks from September to October; each head is 1-2 inches across and bright yellow with a yellow center.

Seed Fruit

Seeds are dark brown, flattened, and have two prongs that project from one end.

Where Found

Bur marigold is distributed throughout the eastern and midwest United States.

Growth Habit

upright and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

Varies:

pencil,

dime

Dominant Flower Color

yellow

Flower Symmetry

Varies:

radial symmetery,

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

lance

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

Varies:

lobed,

serrated

Leaf Structure

palmate

Leaf Stalk

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

taproot

Life Cycle

summer annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb