Bidens frondosa

Botanical Description

Bidens frondosa is an erect, annual plant usually growing 20 - 60cm tall, occasionally reaching 180cm[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant is highly rated for its medicinal uses, being harvested from the wild and also sometimes cultivated. The plant is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. Bidens frondosa has been introduced widely in Europe and to other parts of the world, mainly in temperate climates. Most introductions have been intentional, due to the plant's medicinal, herbal and decorative properties, though seeds can also be accidentally dispersed into new areas as they can adhere firmly to animal fibres such as wool. The plant has often escaped from cultivation - in Europe it has been reported to outcompete and interbreed with native plant species in particular those of the same genus; whilst in New Zealand it is classified as an environmental weed[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].