Bearded Beggarticks
Bidens aristosa
- Native to:
- United States
Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Bidens
- Species:
- Bidens aristosa
- USDA Symbol:
- BIAR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Goldenrod Stowaway (Cirrhophanus triangulifer)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Goldenrod Stowaway (Cirrhophanus triangulifer), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in floodplains and wet meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; press into soil surface but do not cover. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified
Establishment: B. aristosa found in non forested areas within temperate deciduous forests of North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net