Begger's Tick Bidens laevis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BI-denz LYE-viss
- Description
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Bur Marigold is a native annual in the Asteraceae (aster) family found in the coastal areas of NC as well as other wet areas in eastern and mid-western US. It grows in wet sites along estuaries and rivers and can reach as high as 6 feet tall. The bright yellow flowers have brown centers and bloom until frost. It can have a floppy habit due to the weight of the flowers and seeds. Propagation is by seed.
This plant will grow in sandy to clay soils with neutral, slightly acidic pH in full sun along bogs, marshes, ponds or streams. Attracts bees and butterflies and will self-seed.
While it can be beautiful in mass plantings, gardeners should be cautious of its aggressive growth habit. Regular monitoring may be necessary to prevent it from overtaking other plants in smaller gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bidens
- Species:
- laevis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern U.S.A, Northern Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , AZ , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Bidens support the following specialized bee: Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- 3-4 angled wedge-shaped achene with barbs for adhering to fur and clothes.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- This plant has golden yellow, cosmos-like flowers with around 8 petals and brownish disc flowers in the center. Blooms June- Oct.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped leaves are sessile with a cuneate base that is sometimes fused around the stem. Margins serrated, tips acute to acuminate. 2-6 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Reddish multi-branched stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
