Spanish Needles

Spanish Needles

Bidens pilosa L.

Synonyms

Bidens leucantha, Bidens sundaica, Blackjack, Cobbler's pegs, Common Beggar's-tick, Hairy Beggarticks, Cobbler's Pegs, Farmer's Friend, Pitchforks, Romerillo, Shepherd's Needles, Spanish Needles

ID Characteristics

Life cycle: Annual
Growth Habit: Erect and sprawling
Propagation: Seeds, roots at the nodes along square purplish stems
Leaf Margin: Serrated and sometimes entire
Leaf Hairs: Nearly hairless
Leaf Structure: Lower leaves are simple and ovate. Upper leaves are mostly often pinnate with three to seven lobes.
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Root Type: Branching taproot
Flower Color: Five to eight white petals surrounding many yellow disk tubular florets.

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Similar Species

  • Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia
  • Beggarsticks spp., Bidens spp.

Herbicidal Control Options

  • Preemergence: Selective control option not available
  • Post Emergence: Selective control option not available

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