Bidens aristosa
bearded beggarticks, bur marigold, long-bracted beggarticks, showy tickseed, sticktight, swamp marigold, tickseed beggarticks, tickseed sunflower, western tickseed, Yankee lice
Description: herbaceous annual
Place of origin: central U.S. but now found across the eastern U.S., Ontario, France, UK, and India.
Urban habitat: roadside ditches, fields, along riverbanks, railroads, disturbed sites. Can form large colonies by reseeding itself and can tolerate hot, dry conditions.
Ecological function: Its barbed seeds are easily transported in animal fur and in human socks and clothing. Its flowers attract many native bees, wasps, butterflies and other predatory insects that prey on pest insects. Its seeds are food for small rodents and birds.
History: : The plant was first discovered in along the Potomac River near Glen Echo, MD in 1902 and from other Potomac sites from Key Bridge south to King George County. The plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including toothaches, sore throats, and skin irritations. The leaves and stems of the plant are also edible and can be cooked like spinach or added to salads. Many of the Bidens species plants have been consumed for medicinal purposes by native American people for treatment of sun sickness, eye disease, headache and diarrhea.