Bidens pilosa
L. Cobbler's-pegsErect annual herb to 1 m high; stems glabrous to densely hairy. Leaves ovate to broad-ovate in outline, mostly 6–12 cm long and 1–4 cm wide, usually trifoliate or pinnate, sometimes simple, terminal leaflet largest, more or less glabrous to appressed-pubescent, margins toothed; petiole to c. 4 cm long, slightly winged. Capitula 5–15 mm diam.; outer involucral bracts herbaceous, linear, 4–8 mm long; inner bracts lanceolate, 5–10 mm long. Ray florets present, (2–)4–8 mm long, ephemeral, white or pale yellow, or absent. Cypselas linear, 6–12 mm long, curved, 4-angled, antrorsely barbed all over or only on ribs; pappus of 2 or 3 awns, 2–4 mm long, erect or spreading.
MuM, VVP, GipP, OtP, HSF. Native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, widely naturalised in Europe, and throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. A localized weed, mostly from wasteland in urban areas.
6 varieties have been described, but usually only 3 are recognised, 2 in Australia, both in Victoria.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Asteraceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 652–666. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
