Beggar's Tick

Common Names: Beggar's tick, beggarticks, Spanish needles, monkey’s lice, shepherd's needles, butterfly needles
Latin Names: Bidens alba
Type: Herbaceous
Origin: Native

Description: The plant grows up to 5 foot tall. Stems are mostly hairless and green to purplish. Leaves are either simple or compound and can be 1-4” long. The small flowers are normally white but can be yellow or cream. A plant can produce hundreds of seeds which have two-tooths or barbs at the top to grab on to animals fur and spread.

Edible: Young leaves and flowers are edible either raw in a salad or cooked as a potherb. Dried leaves can be used to make a tea.

--> Raw leaves and flowers are good but so small that it would take several plants to make a salad.

Other uses: Attracts bees and butterflies. Has some medicinal uses such as leaf infusion or tea for sore throats. Powdered seeds are a topical anesthetic and to help clotting.
Notes: Found along the woods.

 

Beggar's tick (September)

Beggar's tick (September)

Beggar's tick (September)

Beggar's tick (September)

Beggar's tick (April)

Beggar's tick (June)