Freshwater Wetlands/ Swamp Beggar-ticks

COMMON NAME: Swamp Beggar Ticks

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Purple-Stemmed Beggar Tick, Harvest Lice

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bidens connata 

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 6 feet

FLOWERING TIME: August to October

FRUITING TIME: August to October

DISTRIBUTION: Canada to North Carolina ~ Statewide in New Jersey outside the Pine Barrens

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves simple, serrate, some deeply cleft ~ Head erect ~ Flowers disk, small (8-20 mm) ~ Stem green to purple ~ Barbed terminal bristle

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae) of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions that are not densely forested.  This family is commonly called the Aster family.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. The name of the genus Bidens means “two teeth” and refers to the barbed fruit.  The ripe seeds of Swamp Beggar Ticks have barbed points which make the seeds stick to clothing or fur of animals.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.