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Bur Marigold

Bidens spp.

Bur Marigold Locations in Southeast US
Bur Marigold Locations in North America
bur marigole full flower

bur marigold in water
bur marigold stem on concrete
Bur marigold top view

Bur Marigold Flower

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustrations: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 495.

What is Bur Marigold?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Opposite
  • Toothed edge
  • Upper leaves sometimes alternate

Flowers:

  • Surrounded by whorl of bracts
  • Receptacle flat or slightly bulging out
  • Yellow in color
  • Usually 5-toothed

Fruit:

  • One seeded
  • Does not open to release seed when ripe
  • Triangular

Roots:

  • Long, thick root
  • Fibrous

Where Does it Grow?

Bur Marigold can be found in lakes, streams, marshes, and irrigation ditches.

Pros and Cons of Bur Marigold

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

What Type of Bur Marigold Do I Have?

There are two common types of bur marigold in Texas. Click on the buttons to learn more about each specific species.

Bidens laevis
Bidens mitis
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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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