Beggarticks; Stick-tights

Asteraceae

LIFE FORM: Annual

NATIVITY: Eastern North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

An erect plant that can grow to 5 feet tall; leaves are opposite, compound with 3-5 large, lanceolate leaflets with serrated margins.

FLOWERS:

Blooms from August through October.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Dark-brown, prickly fruit that stick to skin, clothing, fur to aid in seed dispersal.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Grows in dry shady or moist sunny sites; minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; freshwater wetlands, ponds and streams.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Drought tolerance on compacted soils; stream and river bank stabilization.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This adaptible plant grows best in moist soil in full sun, but it can also be found in dry, shady situations.