Nodding Beggartick

(Bidens cernua)

Nodding Beggartick (Bidens cernua)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Bidens cernua, commonly known as Nodding Beggartick, is an annual herb native to wetland areas such as marshes, swamps, and along stream banks in the Subarctic and Temperate Northern Hemisphere. It is a member of the sunflower family and typically grows to a height of 30-120 cm (12-47 inches). The leaves are lance-shaped, sessile, and have coarsely-toothed margins. The common name "Nodding Beggartick" is derived from the characteristic nodding or downward orientation of its yellow flower heads, which bloom from late summer to fall. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite numerous, creating a showy display.

Nodding Beggartick thrives in wet, saturated soils and is often found in areas with seasonal flooding. Its ability to grow in such conditions makes it a useful plant for rain gardens and wetland restoration projects. It is also valued for its attractiveness to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. While it is not typically grown for ornamental purposes, it can be used in naturalized areas or wildlife gardens. Gardeners should be aware that Bidens cernua can self-seed prolifically and may become weedy or invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 0.2-0.3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

native to wetland areas such as marshes, swamps, and along stream banks in the Subarctic and Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Other Names

Common Names: Nodding Beggar’s Ticks , Nodding Beggarticks , Nodding Burr Marigold , Nodding Bur-Marigold , Pitchfork , Sticktight , Nodding Beggar-Ticks , Nodding Bur-Marigold , Bur Marigold , Nodding Bur Marigold

Scientific Names: Bidens cernua , Bidens cernua var. radiata , Bidens glaucescens , Bidens cernua subsp. radiata , Bidens minima , Bidens cernua var. elliptica , Bidens cernua var. dentata , Bidens cernua var. discoidea , Bidens prionophylla , Bidens gracilenta

GBIF Accepted Name: Bidens cernua L.