Bidens andicola

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Bidens andicola, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. It is further identified by its specific genus, Bidens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of South America. In Western South America, it can be found growing in the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Its presence also extends through the territory of Peru within the same western region. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, the species is located in the northwest of Argentina. Collectively, these areas define the specific geographical range where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bidens andicola is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, characterized by a broad elevational distribution across the Andean landscape. This species thrives within a specific vertical niche, primarily occupying mid-to-high altitude zones with a mean elevation of approximately 2600 m AMSL. Its ecological range extends from a lower limit of 2000 m AMSL up to a maximum altitude of 4500 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit diverse microclimates ranging from montane forests and shrublands to the more extreme, high-alpine paramo ecosystems. This wide altitudinal tolerance suggests a significant capacity to withstand the physiological stressors typical of high-elevation habitats, such as intense solar radiation, fluctuating diurnal temperatures, and reduced atmospheric pressure.

Elevational range max:

4500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bidens andicola is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, a trait that allows it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single season or biennials that require two years, this species maintains a continuous presence, often exhibiting a variable growth pattern depending on environmental stability and resource availability. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant undergoes successive stages of vegetative development and reproductive flowering, utilizing its perennial nature to withstand seasonal fluctuations and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bidens andicola is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb or subshrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as liana or vine growth, nor does it require external structures for support. As a terrestrial species, it avoids aquatic or semiaquatic habitats, maintaining an independent life cycle without any parasitic tendencies. Furthermore, it is not an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial rather than growing as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other epiphytic form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bidens andicola is characterized by its metabolic processes and specialized adaptations to its environmental niche, most notably its reliance on a C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO, a process that is highly efficient under moderate temperatures and well-watered conditions but remains susceptible to photorespiration in more extreme climates. This metabolic framework dictates the plant's gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, influencing how it manages transpiration and nutrient uptake through its root system. Additionally, the physiological vigor of the species is supported by its ability to regulate osmotic potential and maintain cellular homeostasis, ensuring robust growth and the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites essential to its biological function.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bidens andicola is characterized by the production of specialized fruit and seed structures that exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions. The plant produces fruit that is classified as dry rather than fleshy, ensuring efficient dispersal mechanisms. Within these fruits, the seeds demonstrate remarkable uniformity in their morphological traits; the seed mass is constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.0011 g. Similarly, the seed volume shows no variation, maintaining a consistent measurement of 0.99 mm³ across the minimum, maximum, and mean values. This precise consistency in both mass and volume suggests a highly standardized reproductive output for the species.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass mean:

0.0011 g

Seed volume max:

0.99 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bidens andicola has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpha-l-rhamnopyranose, BETA-D-XYLOPYRANOSE, beta-D-glucopyranose.

Alpha-l-rhamnopyranose

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-D-XYLOPYRANOSE

1. Journal of natural products

beta-D-glucopyranose

1. Journal of natural products