Bidens leptocephala, commonly known as the fewflower beggarticks, is an annual herbaceous flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California, Baja California Sur).
Description Bidens leptocephala is an annual herb that typically grows between tall. The opposite leaf blades are long by wide. They are pinnately divided up to 2 times into linear segments. The leaf petioles are up to 4 cm in length. Flower heads are sometimes borne one at a time or in groups of 2 or 3, each head with whitish or yellowish disc florets and sometimes with up to 3 pale yellow ray florets.Sherff, Earl Edward 1917. Botanical Gazette 64(1): 22–23. description in Latin, commentary in EnglishSEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona Chapter, Bidens leptocephala Sherff description, photos, distribution map
The species mainly flowers in September.
Distribution and habitat Bidens leptocephala has been found in the United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and in Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua). It grows along streams at elevations of 900–1800 metres from sea level.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
Conservation , Bidens leptocephala is listed on NatureServe as Secure (G5) worldwide.
Taxonomy Bidens leptocephala was first named by Earl Edward Sherff and described in 1917 in Bot. Gaz. 64: 22.
References
External links Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants