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London Bur-marigold

Bidens connata

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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae (Daisy)
Also in this family:
Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Mugwort, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, Magellan Ragwort, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-seeded Dandelion, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Treasureflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White African Daisy, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
2 metres tall
Habitats:
Ditches, marshes, mud, mudflats, riversides, swamps, wetland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, no petals
 
The branching stems have 1 to 3 orange-yellow flowerheads. The inner bracts which surrounds the yellow centre of the flower are brownish and oval. The leafy outer bracts are narrowly elliptical and unequal in size. The outer bracts are 2 or 3 times as long as the flowerhead itself.
Fruit:
Oblong, dark brown or dark purple fruit, not flattened as in the similar looking Trifid Bur-marigold (Bidens tripartita). There are 2 to 4 hooked awns at one end of the fruit.
Leaves:
The broadly lance-shaped, toothed leaves are usually in opposite pairs going up the stem. Some of the upper leaves are alternate along the stems. Leaf blades measure up to 6 inches (15cm) long and 1.5 inches (4cm) wide. Smooth, green, purple-tinged, erect stems. Annual.
Other Names:
Purplestem Beggarticks, Purple-stemmed Tickseed, Swamp Beggarticks, Swamp Marigold.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Bidens connata, also known as swamp beggarticks or swamp marigold, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America and is commonly found in wetland areas, such as marshes, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and lakes. B. connata is an annual herb that grows to a height of up to 1.5 meters. It has hairy, green leaves and small, yellow or orange flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is valued for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory problems and skin conditions. It is also used as a food source and is an important habitat plant for a variety of wildlife species. B. connata is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and is known for its ability to tolerate wet, muddy soil.

Blog

London Bur-marigold (Bidens connata) is a wildflower species that is commonly found in the wetland habitats of London, UK. Despite its name, this plant is not actually a marigold but belongs to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is a hardy and adaptable species that has become a common sight in the city, particularly in damp and shady areas.

The London Bur-marigold is a perennials that can grow up to a height of 60cm. Its leaves are pinnately divided, giving the plant a delicate, feathery appearance. The flowers are yellow and slightly daisy-like, growing in clusters on top of the stems. They bloom from late summer to early autumn, providing a bright and cheerful addition to the urban landscape.

One of the reasons why the London Bur-marigold is so widespread in the city is its ability to grow in a variety of soil types, from heavy clay soils to light sand. It is also tolerant of poor and nutrient-deficient soils, making it an ideal choice for areas that are difficult to cultivate.

In addition to its hardiness, the London Bur-marigold is also attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making it an important species for maintaining biodiversity in the city. Its flowers provide a vital source of nectar for these insects, particularly during the late summer and early autumn months when many other plants have already finished blooming.

Aside from its ecological importance, the London Bur-marigold also has cultural and historical significance. This plant has been a part of the British countryside for centuries and has been mentioned in various literary works, including poems and songs. It is said to symbolize hope and resilience, reflecting the qualities of the people who have lived in London over the years.

In terms of medicinal uses, the London Bur-marigold has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Its leaves and stems are said to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, and were used to treat wounds, skin infections, and other ailments. It was also used to treat respiratory problems and digestive issues.

Despite its popularity and cultural significance, the London Bur-marigold is threatened by habitat loss and degradation in some areas. Wetlands and other habitats that this plant relies on are being drained, filled, and built upon, putting pressure on its populations. In order to protect this species and other plants and animals that depend on these habitats, it is important to preserve and restore these areas in the city.

Additionally, there are several ways in which the public can help to protect the London Bur-marigold and other species in the city. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Support conservation efforts: There are several organizations and groups that are working to protect wetland habitats and the species that depend on them in London. Consider supporting these organizations through donations or volunteer work.

  2. Create a wildlife-friendly garden: If you have a garden in London, consider planting native wildflowers and shrubs that provide food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This can help to create a network of green spaces in the city that supports biodiversity.

  3. Educate others: Spread awareness about the importance of the London Bur-marigold and other species in the city by talking to friends and family, sharing information on social media, or participating in public events and campaigns.

  4. Participate in citizen science: There are several citizen science projects in London that allow the public to get involved in monitoring and conserving wildlife in the city. Consider participating in these projects to help gather important data and contribute to conservation efforts.

By taking these steps, we can help to protect the London Bur-marigold and other species in the city and ensure that they continue to thrive for years to come.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map