Many know Bidens frondosa by descriptive names like Devil’s Beggarticks or Sticktight, which point to its most memorable trait. After a walk through a field in late summer, you may find your clothing covered in small, dark seeds that cling with tenacity. This hitchhiking ability is central to the plant’s success, allowing it to travel on the fur of animals and the clothing of people.
Identification and Characteristics
To identify Bidens frondosa, look at its leaves, flowers, and seeds. The leaves are compound, meaning each is divided into multiple leaflets, and are arranged oppositely on a stem that is often reddish-green or purple. These leaflets have distinctly toothed, or serrated, edges. The plant can grow from one to three feet high, though some specimens may reach up to six feet.
The plant’s flowers appear from late summer into early fall. They are small, composite flower heads with orange-yellow centers composed of 20 to 60 tiny disc florets. Bidens frondosa often has no showy outer ray florets, or if present, they are very small and golden-yellow, giving the flower a scraggly appearance.
The defining characteristic of Devil’s Beggarticks is its fruit, a cypsela. These are the flat, blackish-brown seeds responsible for the plant’s common names. At the top of each seed are two prominent, barbed awns that act like grappling hooks. These barbed projections, measuring 2 to 5 mm, allow the seeds to attach firmly to passersby.
Habitat and Distribution
Bidens frondosa is native throughout much of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It thrives in moist to wet soils and is a common sight in disturbed landscapes. You can find it growing along river gravel bars, the edges of ponds and lakes, and in irrigation ditches. It also populates meadows, thickets, fields, and waste areas like roadsides and railways.
This species’ adaptability has allowed it to spread beyond its native continent. It has been introduced to Europe and parts of Asia, where it is now considered an invasive weed in some regions. The initial introductions were often intentional, as the plant was valued for medicinal or ornamental purposes. Its seed dispersal allows it to colonize new areas, sometimes outcompeting native plant species.
Traditional Uses and Edibility
Historically, Bidens frondosa has been used as a medicinal herb. Infusions and tinctures from the plant were traditionally used to address urinary tract issues, such as irritation and inflammation. It was also employed to increase the excretion of uric acid, which could reduce the risk of gout attacks. The plant contains compounds like flavonoids and polysaccharides, which have been investigated for their biological activities.
Beyond its medicinal applications, the plant is also considered edible. The young leaves and shoots can be harvested and cooked, much like other wild greens. It is important to note that foraging for any wild plant requires absolute certainty in identification to avoid consuming a toxic look-alike. Anyone considering using a plant for medicinal purposes should first consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
Management and Control
For those who view Devil’s Beggarticks as a nuisance weed, control is most effective when it is proactive. The primary goal is to prevent the plant from producing and scattering its persistent seeds. In smaller patches, hand-pulling or severing the plant at the root with a hoe is a very effective method. This should be done before the plant has a chance to flower and develop seeds.
In larger, more infested areas, regular mowing can be a practical solution to keep the plants from reaching maturity and setting seed. The most important aspect of control is preventing further spread. After walking through an area where Bidens frondosa grows, take the time to check and meticulously clean clothing, shoelaces, and pet fur. Removing the hitchhiking seeds on-site prevents you from accidentally introducing the plant to new locations.