Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES
Description
Bidens cernua (Nodding Beggarticks, Nodding Bur Marigold) is an herbaceous annual or biennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Here are some key identification characteristics:
Appearance: Nodding bur marigold is a slender and erect plant that typically reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters).
Leaves: The leaves of Bidens cernua are opposite and pinnately compound, meaning they are divided into several pairs of leaflets along a central stem (rachis). Each leaflet is lance-shaped and has serrated edges.
Flowers: The plant produces small, bright yellow flowers with a tubular disk floret at the center and a few ray florets around the edge. The flowers are held on long, slender stalks and often have a nodding appearance, giving rise to the common name “nodding bur marigold.”
Blooming Period: Nodding bur marigold blooms from late summer to fall, typically from August to October, depending on the region and climate.
Fruits: After flowering, the plant forms small, bur-like fruits with barbed awns that aid in dispersal by attaching to passing animals or clothing.
Habitat: This species is native to various regions of North America and can be found in moist meadows, marshes, stream banks, and other wet habitats.
Distribution: Nodding bur marigold is found in regions ranging from eastern Canada to the central and eastern parts of the United States.
Conservation: Nodding bur marigold is not considered a threatened species, and it can form dense stands in suitable habitats.
Other Species: Bidens cernua is part of the Bidens genus, which includes other species with similar characteristics.
Nodding bur marigold is valued for its bright and cheerful flowers, which provide late-season color to wetland areas and add visual interest to naturalistic landscapes. The plant’s ability to thrive in moist habitats makes it an ideal choice for rain gardens and areas with periodic flooding.
Occurrence
Found along beaver pond in very large quantities.