Devil's Beggarticks
Bidens frondosa

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Sticktights, Devil’s Pitchfork
Photo taken on: September 25, 2009
Location: Bandelier National Monument, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Moist woods, stream-sides, roadsides, ditches

Grows to 3 feet tall with purplish stems and leaves divided into 3 or 5 sharply toothed leaflets. The central leaflet is larger than the rest. Flower heads are on long stalks and have long, leafy bracts with hairs along the edges. The flower is a yellow-orange disk about ½" across, usually with no petals. The seed has only 2 awns.

The leaves of this plant growing in the sun are smaller and the whole plant appears less lush than the one above growing in a shaded wooded environment. This is the more typical appearance in New Mexico.

Photo taken on: October 1, 2019
Location: Acequia de La Puente, Abiquiu, NM

Flora of North America reference.

Slimlobe Beggarticks
Bidens tenuisecta

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: September 25, 2011
Location: Valle Caldera, NM
Life Zones: Foothills and montane
Habitat: Meadows

Growing to 1 feet, it is an insignificant plant hidden amongst grasses. Leaves are narrowly divided. The flower heads have very few rays. It is distinguishable by its very hairy phyllaries.

Flora of North America reference.

Three-lobed Beggarticks
Bidens tripartita

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Leafy-bracted Beggarticks, Trifid Bur-marigold
Photo taken on: October 2, 2016
Location: Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Moist areas

Grows to 3 feet tall with mostly simple, mostly toothed leaves, some lower leaves may have lobes. Flower heads are ½" to ¾" across and dull yellow surrounded by broad, leafy bracts which are variable in size, up to 2½" long. Rays may be present or not. Seeds are mostly 3-awned.

Flora of North America reference.