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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Bidens cernua

Bidens cernua L.

Nodding Beggartick, Bur Marigold, Nodding Beggarticks, Nodding Bur Marigold, Nodding Burmarigold, Nodding Burr-marigold, Sticktight

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Bidens cernua var. cernua, Bidens cernua var. dentata, Bidens cernua var. elliptica, Bidens cernua var. integra, Bidens cernua var. minima, Bidens cernua var. oligodonta, Bidens cernua var. radiata, Bidens glaucescens

USDA Symbol: bice

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), CAN (N)

Numerous yellow flower heads nod increasingly as the flowers mature.

The species name "cernua" is Latin for "nodding." Bur Marigold seeds are sometimes eaten by ducks. Where the range of this species and Smooth Bur Marigold (B. laevis) overlap in coastal areas, B. cernua is much less prevalent.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Size Notes: Usually up to about 40 inches tall. Stems decumbent to erect, sometimes more than 12 feet long, rooting at proximal nodes.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Blackish or brown, to purplish. Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , YT
Native Distribution: Nova Scotia; in the east, mainly coastal to North Carolina; occurs inland on a local basis.
Native Habitat: Swamps and wet ground.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL	OBL	OBL		OBL	OBL		OBL	OBL	OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Bidens cernua in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Bidens cernua in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Bidens cernua

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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