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 are all oppositely … See more

The species is native to tropical America, widely naturalized throughout the warm temperate and tropical regions of the world. A weed of gardens, woodlands and waste areas. See more

Its many English common names include black-jack, beggarticks, hairy beggarticks, cobbler's pegs, devil's needles, hairy bidens, Spanish needle, farmers friend, Devils Pitchfork, hitch hikers and sticky beaks. See more

Although Bidens pilosa is primarily considered a weed, in many parts of the world it is also a source of food and alternative medicine. The leaves have a resinous flavor, are eaten raw or in stews or dried for storage. In eastern Africa it is used for medicinal … See more

Almost 200 compounds have been isolated from B. pilosa, especially polyacetylenes and flavonoids. The plant contains the chalcone okanin and ethyl caffeate, a hydroxycinnamic acid. See more

• PROTAbase Record display for Bidens pilosa. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA). Retrieved on 12 April 2010. See more