Hairy Beggarticks
Bidens pilosa
Also listed as Bidens odorata, Bidens pinnata
Also known as Blackjack, Cobbler's Pegs, Beggar's Tick
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A prolific warm-season annual with small yellow flowers and distinctive barbed seeds that cling to clothing and fur. Often considered a weedy but persistent plant in disturbed areas and gardens.
Why grow it
Bidens pilosa grows readily in poor soil and disturbed sites where many ornamental annuals struggle, making it useful for quickly vegetating marginal areas or erosion-prone spots. The plant produces abundant biomass that can be chopped and dropped as mulch or incorporated into compost. Its small yellow flowers attract pollinators during warm months, supporting beneficial insects when other forage is limited.
Watch out for
The seeds disperse effectively via clothing and animal fur, so harvest or remove plants before senescence if you want to contain them to a specific area. In humid climates, dense plantings may experience fungal issues if air circulation is poor. The plant self-seeds readily once established, so monitor volunteer seedlings if you prefer to manage its spread.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Americas
Native to: Florida, Hawaii, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A prolific warm-season annual with small yellow flowers and distinctive barbed seeds that cling to clothing and fur. Often considered a weedy but persistent plant in disturbed areas and gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Hairy Beggarticks grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bidens pilosa grows readily in poor soil and disturbed sites where many ornamental annuals struggle, making it useful for quickly vegetating marginal areas or erosion-prone spots. The plant produces abundant biomass that can be chopped and dropped as mulch or incorporated into compost. Its small yellow flowers attract pollinators during warm months, supporting beneficial insects when other forage is limited.
Watch out for
The seeds disperse effectively via clothing and animal fur, so harvest or remove plants before senescence if you want to contain them to a specific area. In humid climates, dense plantings may experience fungal issues if air circulation is poor. The plant self-seeds readily once established, so monitor volunteer seedlings if you prefer to manage its spread.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Americas
Native to: Florida, Hawaii, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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