Plant Profile: Bidens aristosa

The Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is a herbaceous plant that can be either an annual or biennial, characterized by a robust taproot and a height ranging from 2 to 4 feet. This species is prevalent throughout North Carolina, though it is less common in mountainous regions. Its leaves are distinctly serrated, arranged oppositely, and are typically pinnately compound, with some exhibiting a bi-pinnate structure. The plant produces large, vibrant yellow flowers that bloom from late summer into early fall, and it generates slender, dry seeds (known as achenes) that often feature barbed edges.

Primarily, this sunflower has been utilized for enhancing landscapes, but it also holds promise for cultivated gardens, naturalized prairie or meadow settings, and roadside plantings. It thrives in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade as well. Frequently, it is found flourishing in the open shade at the periphery of woodlands. The Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower is adaptable to a variety of soil types, with the exception of very sandy soils. Naturally occurring populations are typically located in moist environments, such as ditches, marshes, and wet meadows.