Bipinnate Beggar’s Ticks, Spanish Needles
Bidens bipinnata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An erect annual herb. It grows 0.3-1 m high. The stems are 4 angled. The leaves are divided into 5-9 leaflets which are again divided. They are 2-18 cm long by 1-18 cm wide. The flowers heads are 5-10 mm across. They are yellow or orange. The fruit are 2 cm long. They have 3-5 hooked bristles.

There are about 200 Bidens species. Most are in North America. Vitamin C 40 mg/100 g.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude. It is often in poorly drained soils. It grows between 4-2,125 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, France, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fresh shoots are used as a pot-herb. Leaves can be dried for later use.

These have high food value but an astringent taste. It is a minor vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anantsinahy, Kuro, Monyane, Mositsa, Mushidzhidonga, Tsipolitra

Synonyms

Bidens pilosa Linn. var. bipinnata Hook.f.;