Bidens alba, in the Aster (sunflower) family, is a common weed or wildflower, depending on your viewpoint. Commonly known as Beggar’s Tick, or simply Bidens, it is considered native to Florida and subtropical regions of the Southeastern United States.
It has been deemed naturalized or invasive in tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, South America and Africa. Recently, it has been reported as naturalized on many islands in the South Pacific, including Hawaii.
Beggar’s Tick is an annual, herbaceous plant that is killed by frosts and freezes. In tropical regions, it may be a short-lived perennial.
Each plant produces 1200 or more seeds, making control difficult. The seeds over-winter and begin germinating when the weather warms in spring, typically in May. Because of the abundance of seeds that germinate easily, the Florida Native Plant Society says that “Once you have this plant, you will always have this plant.”
Bidens grows to a maximum height of between three to four feet, with an erect growth habit. It has simple or trifoliate leaves one to four inches long which are borne opposite on the stem.
The underside of the leaves has hairs, but the top is typically smooth. The leaf margins are toothed and are variously lobed.
The leaves of Bidens alba typically are trifoliate and have fine toothings along the margins.
The flowers are typical of those in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. What is typically perceived as one flower is actually made up of numerous fertile and non-fertile florets (small flowers).
The non-fertile florets have a petal-like appearance and give the Bidens flower a ‘daisy-like’ appearance. The non-fertile florets are white to creamy-white in color.
They are arranged around a central core of fertile florets which have functional reproductive organs. The fertile florets are typically a yellow to golden color.
After pollination, the fertile florets produce the plant’s numerous seeds. Each seed is about one-half inch in length and about 1/32 inch in width.
The seed’s distinguishing features are a pair of barb-like bristles on one end that allow the seeds to attach to animals or people that come into contact with it. The barbs ensure the wide dispersal of the seeds.
The barbed seeds are a common sight in the early days of winter. They attach easily to any passerby and can be detached miles from their original site, ready to quickly colonize a new area.
Bidens grows best in organic, loose soil but can grow in almost all conditions. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and tolerates low water conditions.
It is a fast growing, fast spreading plant because of the large number of seeds produced and because of its ability to root and regrow from stems.
Beggars’s Tick is one of the most important wildflowers as a nectar and pollen source for many species of bees, wasps and butterflies. It also serves as a larval host for the Dainty Sulfur butterfly.
While attractive to a wide variety of pollinators, like bees, predators which eat visiting insects also find Bidens alba attractive.
Bidens has also served as a food source for humans. It has a nutrient profile similar to kale and is high in fiber, proteins, carotenoids, folate (a B-vitamin) and magnesium.
The younger shoots and leaves prove best for harvesting. As the plant ages, the older leaves accumulate higher levels of saponins which give them a bitter taste and may cause stomach upset. The dried leaves of B. alba have also been used as a substitute for tobacco.
Bidens also has been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. It also has been shown to have antidiabetic, anti-dysenteric, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and styptic properties. HOWEVER, always consult your doctor about any symptoms or conditions you have and to discuss the use of all herbal supplements.
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