beggars tick

Bidens frondosa, Asteraceae

• Looks similar to a dahlia plant, up to 2 m tall, usually with reddish stems
• Each leaf is made up of 3 (or 5) leaflets, with serrated margins
• Leaves arise from the stem in pairs
• Plants die back in winter
• Daisy-like flowers
• Seeds with 2 prongs that are barbed
• Usually in damp sites such as waterway margins or wetlands

Status

This species is not officially a plant pest in Canterbury, however it is a weed in some situations, especially along tracks and waterways.

Control

Remove entire plant and send to landfill. Plants are easy to pull out but take care not to spread any seeds. Alternatively, apply a herbicide. Follow-up control will be required.

 

Paired leaflets, reddish stems, serrated leaves

Seeds with 2 prongs, each with barbs along them

Flowers of beggars tick