beggar-tick

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's beggarticks
• large-leaved beggarticks
• leafy beggarticks
• Beggarticks
• beggar-ticks
• devil's beggar-ticks
• devil’s beggarticks
• stick-tights

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bidens frondosa var. major
• Bidens frondosa var. minor
• Bidens frondosa var. anomala
• Bidens frondosa f. anomala
• Bidens frondosa var. caudata
• Bidens melanocarpa var. pallida
• Bidens frondosa var. pallida
• Bidens frondosa var. stenodonta
• Bidens melanocarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Bidens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. The species can also be found extending further north into the territory of Norway. Additionally, its distribution reaches into Middle Europe, specifically within the borders of Austria. Consequently, these locations define the known habitat for Bidens frondosa in these areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bidens frondosa is characterized by its high adaptability to diverse and often disturbed environments, ranging from sun-drenched open areas to shaded woodland settings. It thrives in open roadsides and managed roadside environments where light availability is high, but it also demonstrates significant versatility by colonizing forest understories and riparian zones. This species is particularly well-suited to hydric conditions, frequently establishing itself in wetland habitats and along the margins of riparian corridors where soil moisture is consistent. By occupying these varied niches—from disturbed anthropogenic landscapes to stable, moisture-rich natural ecosystems—the plant utilizes a broad spectrum of moisture levels and light intensities to maintain its presence across multiple landscape types.

Habitat :

open roadsides managed roadsides, open, forest, riparian, wetland wetland, riparian

Life history

The life history of Bidens frondosa is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating into a seed stage, relying on these hardy seeds to persist until the following season. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its life cycle or in response to seasonal shifts. This life strategy allows it to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats, utilizing its ephemeral growth pattern to maximize reproductive output before the onset of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Bidens frondosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.94 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.941666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bidens frondosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy acquisition strategies. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake and does not possess specialized structures for capturing prey. The plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it is dependent on available nitrogen within its substrate for metabolic processes. Its foliar morphology plays a crucial role in its resource management, exhibiting a mean leaf size of 41.76 cm² and a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 314.54 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and resource allocation strategies. The leaves show significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, and an average length of 6.5 cm. Additionally, leaf width varies from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, contributing to the overall structural dynamics of its photosynthetic organs.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

41.76 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

314.54 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bidens frondosa is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, which facilitates the fertilization process. While self-fertilization is present within the species, the plant relies on these insect interactions to ensure successful reproductive cycles. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, typically beginning in August and concluding in September. Following successful pollination, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits vary in size, with an average length of 0.775 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit a uniform length of 8.5 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are quite light, with a mean weight of approximately 0.00452 g, though they can range from a minimum of 0.00169 g to a maximum of 0.02301 g. Dispersal is achieved through an unspecialized strategy with specific epizoochorous tendencies, meaning the seeds often attach to animals to facilitate movement. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through seed production the primary method for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.775 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

8.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02301 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00452015625 g

Seed mass min:

0.00169 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bidens frondosa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Silver nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Preparations

Bidens frondosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR