Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Bidens laevis is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names bur-marigold and smooth beggarticks. It is native to the southern half of the United States, where it grows in wetlands, including estuaries and riverbanks. It is similar in appearance to its relative Bidens cernua and the two are sometimes confused. This is an annual or perennial herb growing over 20 centimeters tall and sometimes much taller, exceeding one meter in height and sometimes approaching two. The narrow lance-shaped leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long, with finely toothed edges and pointed tips. The flower cluster bears one or more flower heads which bend down as they become heavy with fruit after flowering. Each head has a center of yellow disc florets and a fringe of 7 or 8 yellow ray florets each up to 3 centimeters long. The fruit is a sharply barbed achene.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

8 - 96 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full Sun

Water

High, Moderate

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

7, 8*, 9*, 10, 11, 12*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Plant communities

Freshwater Marsh, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 8 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Eupithacia

Eupithecia miserulata

Sunflower Moth

Homoeosoma electella

Dainty Sulphur

Nathalis iole