Beggarticks, Nodding, Bidens cernua
Life Cycle
AnnualPropagation
Reproducing only by seed.Stems
Stems erect, branched and 10-100cm high.Leaves
Opposite (2 per node - Figure 3), compound with 5 leaflets and sharply toothed.Flowers and Fruit
Flower heads showy, 2.5-5cm across, ray florets bright yellow, up to 1.5cm long, usually 8 per head but occasionally fewer or absent altogether. The disk florets are yellowish-green and densely crowded together. The flower head is surrounded by several, long, leafy, green involucral bracts. The seeds are brownish, flat, long-oval, with 2 downward-barbed awns on top (Figure 5). Flowers from July to late autumn.Habitat
Nodding beggarticks occurs throughout Ontario in moist places, usually in meadows, river valleys, roadside ditches, and depressions in cultivated land.Distinguishing Features
It is distinguished by its opposite undivided leaves, its large flower heads with usually 8 yellow ray florets and long, leafy, green involucral bracts, and its seeds with 2 downward-barbed awns.Media Items
Figure 1: A: Nodding beggarticks - top of flowering stem (B & C: Tall beggarticks - top of flowering stem and "seed") Top
Figure 2: Cotlyedon Top
Figure 3: Seedling Top
Figure 4: Stem Top
Figure 5: Leaf Top
Figure 6: Seeds Top

