Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - September 16, 2012

From: Portland, OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Nativity of Bidens frondosa from Portland OR
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is Bidens frondosa (Beggar's Tick) native to North America or is it introduced? If introduced, is it considered invasive?

ANSWER:

According to his USDA Plant Profile Map, Bidens frondosa (Devil's beggartick) is indeed native to North America, and to Multnomah County OR.

As to its invasiveness, here are comments we found on it:

From Illinois Wildflowers: "This plant is easy to grow, and can become a weedy pest."

FromWikibooks: "The sticky seeds make this plant a nuisance for pet and livestock owners, and it is generally seen as a weed."

Summary: Bidens frondosa (Devil's beggartick) is native to North America; we found no reference to its being invasive but it was widely described as a weed. You must draw your own conlusions on that.

 

From the Image Gallery


Devil's beggartick
Bidens frondosa

Devil's beggartick
Bidens frondosa

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

What is wrong with cultivars of native plants?
May 26, 2009 - What is wrong with cultivars of native plants? My state native plant society won't allow cultivars at their annual sale, and the native plant nursery from which I order only offers the species. But a...
view the full question and answer

Plants for yard in Sweetwater, Texas
March 19, 2010 - What plants or grass would you suggest for an area that that is located on the east side of our house - full sun morning through noon, then it's shaded the remainder of the day.. Thanks!!
view the full question and answer

Information on non-native caladiums from Austin
June 21, 2012 - Have you a leaflet on growing caladiums in the Austin area?
view the full question and answer

Disease-resistant squash varieties for Central Texas
February 03, 2008 - Can you give me names of some disease-resistant summer squash varieties available in Central Texas?
view the full question and answer

Dietes bicolor(Bicolor Iris) winter-hardiness in Austin
February 09, 2010 - I have many bi-color irises (dietes bicolor), the freeze in Austin turned them brown. Can I trim them back without harming the plants? If trimming is acceptable, can you give me tips?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.