Bidens Pilosa Leaves
Rank scientific name and common name.
Bidens pilosa leaves. Bidens pilosa is eaten in africa as a vegetable. Plantae plants subkingdom. Dependent on zone it s growing in. Young leaves sometimes eaten raw or steamed but the taste can be a bit strong.
The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by bees hover flies. The petioles are slightly winged. The high silica content can lead to problems. Pilosa with capitula without ray flowers or with short rays up to 3 mm and involucral bracts numbering 7 10.
The sap obtained from the crushed leaves of the plant can also be. Common beggar ticks spanish needles classification. Bidens pilosa is native to south. Will naturalize suitable as annual.
Bidens pilosa is a annual growing to 1 m 3ft 3in. In zimbabwe the leaves are boiled with peanut butter and eaten. Some specimens in the west indies appear to have some achenes with three awns some with only two awns and some with a reduced third awn e g. Acid neutral and basic alkaline soils.
It is in flower from may to october. Bidens pilosa is a branched annual forb of gracile habit growing up to 1 8 meters tall. It grows aggressively on disturbed land and often becomes weedy. The leaves may be eaten raw like green vegetables or used as a potherb.
Usually 8 12 inches but tall plants can be 2 3 feet. Light sandy medium loamy and heavy clay soils. Spanish needle may also be boiled and prepared with dishes such as callaloo and cabbage to create a tasty and healthy meal that is loaded with a number of health benefits. The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Bidens lacy leaves are attractive and it is used as a potherb in much of the world. Spring late spring or early summer summer late summer or early fall fall late fall or early winter. Spanish needle bidens pilosa. The leaves are all oppositely arranged and range from simple to pinnate in form the upper leaves with three to five dentate ovate to lanceolate leaflets.
Click on a scientific name below to expand it in the plants classification report. Fermented with rice to make sake range. The plant gets more astringent as it ages but don t make it a major part of your diet. Capitula with 5 8 ray flowers with well developed rays 5 16 mm long and involucral bracts numbering mostly 12 vs.