Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Asteraceae - Bur Marigold (Bidens laevis)

Bur Marigold

(Bidens laevis)

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Bidens cernua

Bur Marigold can be very difficult to distinguish from Nodding Bur Marigold. The ray florets of Nodding Bur Marigold are shorter than those of Bur Marigold and in some plants may be absent entirely. The seeds (achenes) of Nodding Bur Marigold are commonly curved and have a central, vertical ridge.

Bur Marigold (Bidens laevis)

Identification: Flowers golden yellow with conspicuous ray florets. Ray florets longer than wide, usually at least one inch long. Seeds (achenes) straight with apical barbs and without a central vertical ridge. Stem commonly tinged with red-purple. Leaves elongate, undivided, and only weekly dentate. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Most of eastern North America from New England south to Florida. Also an inhabitant of the southwestern United States.

Habitat: Bur Marigold is found in swamps, wet woods, and along the shores of lakes and ponds.

Flowering period: July to October.

Bur Marigold (Bidens laevis)

Similar Species:

Nodding Bur Marigold (Bidens cernua)

Similar Species