Spanish Needles
ExplorePlants
Spanish Needles
bidens bipinnata
Spanish Needles are bright yellow flowers that can be found in fields and along roadsides! They are fun to observe because they attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas in warm climates.
Appearance
The Spanish Needles has slender stems and finely divided, fern-like leaves. Its small yellow flowers often lack noticeable petals, appearing as a cluster of disc florets. The distinguishing feature is its dark, barbed seeds, which resemble tiny needles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusBidens
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Its name comes from seeds that cling like tiny grappling hooks!
Native Americans once used its roots to make a bright yellow dye!
The tiny flowers provide nectar for many small, buzzing insects.
This plant is a master of disguise, often mistaken for a weed.
Special abilities
Ability
Hitchhiker Hero
Spanish Needles seeds have barbs that help them stick to fur and clothes, allowing the plant to spread far and wide.
Ability
Soil Scavenger
Spanish Needles can thrive in poor, disturbed soils, making it a pioneer in areas where other plants struggle.
Ability
Nature's Needlework
The unique, barbed seeds are perfectly designed to cling tightly, ensuring successful dispersal by animals and people.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-90 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.
pollinates
Common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
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Eastern cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
Browses on young shoots and leaves.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Spanish Needle Flower
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Spanish Needles?
The easiest way to identify Spanish Needles is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Spanish Needles?
30-150 cm
How wide does Spanish Needles spread?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on Spanish Needles?
0.5-1 cm
When does Spanish Needles bloom?
Summer-fall
Is Spanish Needles edible?
Yes
Is Spanish Needles toxic?
None
What is Spanish Needles's lifecycle?
Annual
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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