Ridge Beggarticks

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ridge Beggarticks

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Bidens gardneri, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Asterales. Finally, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and the genus Bidens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions of the globe. In the North-Central Pacific, it can be found growing within the islands of Hawaii. Its presence also extends to Western South America, specifically within the borders of Bolivia. Within the massive territory of Brazil, it occupies diverse environments including the North, West-Central, and Southeast regions. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit multiple ecological zones across different continents.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bidens gardneri is characterized by its presence in specific environmental contexts, primarily inhabiting Anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the Cerrado biome (latu sensu). This species thrives within a distinct altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Its distribution suggests an adaptability to landscapes influenced by human activity as well as the diverse structural complexities found within the Brazilian savanna ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Bidens gardneri are characterized by a specific karyotype that defines its cellular structure and evolutionary lineage within the Asteraceae family. A fundamental aspect of its genomic profile is its chromosome number, which is documented as 48. This diploid number serves as a critical cytogenetic marker, providing essential data for understanding the plant's reproductive biology, inheritance patterns, and potential polyploidization events. Such chromosomal stability plays a vital role in the maintenance of its genetic integrity and influences the species' ability to adapt to its ecological niche through recombination and genetic variation.

Chromosome number :

48

Life history

The life history of Bidens gardneri is characterized by its classification as an annual, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it does not seek to establish long-term structures like rhizomes or woody stems for multi-year survival, instead focusing its metabolic energy on rapid development and prolific seed dispersal to ensure the next generation. Following the germination of seeds in favorable environmental conditions, the plant undergoes a period of vegetative expansion before transitioning into its reproductive phase. Once flowering is achieved, the plant produces seeds that serve as the primary mechanism for persistence, lying dormant until the onset of the next suitable seasonal cycle to begin the process anew.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Bidens gardneri is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.6 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bidens gardneri culminates in the production of specialized fruits characterized as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their seeds. The dimensions of these achenes vary within a specific range, with fruit lengths measuring between 0.7 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm. In terms of thickness, the fruit width ranges from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.15 cm, facilitating its dispersal and subsequent germination processes.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.15 cm

Fruit width min:

0.1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bidens gardneri has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, Apigenin 7-O-glucoside.

4-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of inorganic biochemistry

Conditions

Bidens gardneri has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Hyperglycemia

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Preparations

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

Bidens gardneri extract

1. Talanta