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Native Plant Society of Texas

Bearded Beggarticks

Bidens polylepis

Other common name(s):

Tickseed Sunflower

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rich, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Easy to grow, low maintenance. Native habitat: moist prairies, wet meadows, and prairie swales. Although it is an annual, it reseeds prolifically and can form large colonies. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms July-November. Can be biennial in warmer regions. Slender, leafy, much-branched stems. Daisy-like flower heads. Seeds are 2-pronged “stickers” that cling to one’s clothing The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus. Larval host: Dainty Sulfur.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Bidens aristosa, Bidens aristosa var. fritcheyi, Bidens aristosa var. mutica, Bidens aristosa var. retrorsa, Bidens involucrata, Bidens polylepis, Bidens polylepis var. retrorsa

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Seeds are cold stratified and germinate at 30/15 C. Germination is greater in light than dark. Collect seeds when dormant, when seed heads are dry and turn brown. Gently rub the heads between your fingers to release the small, brown seeds. 1) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=asteraceae-bidens-1900&referer=wildflower 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bidens-aristosa/
Seed No Treatment Direct sow: after the last frost, scatter seeds directly in the desired location. Rake them lightly into the soil. Once seedlings emerge and have a few sets of true leaves, thin them to provide adequate spacing (12-18 inches apart). Collect seeds when dormant, when seed heads are dry and turn brown. Gently rub the heads between your fingers to release the small, brown seeds. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bidens-aristosa/
Clump division Division Using a sharp, clean knife or garden shears, divide the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring each section has healthy roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, water them thoroughly, and watch them flourish. Divide in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant or experiencing slower growth. Carefully dig around the plant, ensuring you don’t damage the root system. Gently lift the entire plant. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bidens-aristosa/
Stem Cutting Cut a 4-6 inch section from the stem tip, just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage faster root development. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix, burying the lower nodes. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or humidity dome to retain moisture. Select healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring or early summer. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-bidens-aristosa/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason