Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
Bur marigold
Sticktights
Devil's bootjack
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Bidens vulgata - nodding beggarticks
Height
Up to 4 feet
Riparian
Yes
A flowering plant of the aster family, which flowers from June until October with seeds ripening from August to October. The flowers are pollinated by bees and hover-flies.
Leaves usually have 3 to 5 leaflets lanceolate to lance-ovate. Has 5 to 10 outer bractlets.
Habitat
Prefers damp soil, particularly in disturbed sites.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
The flower head consists of many orange to yellow disc florets. The flower head bases are surrounded by bracts.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Compound leaves consist of 3 to 5 leaflets. Stems are squared and may be branched toward the top of the plant. They are without hairs or occasionally may have a few scattered white hairs. The stems often appear purple in bright sunlight.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Narrow, wedge-shaped fruits, have 2 horns (awns) while fruits of the closely related Bidens vulgata have 4 horns. The barbs on the fruit help it stick to animals which facilitate seed dispersal.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Dark brown or black