Bidens micrantha

Bidens micrantha is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name grassland beggarticks. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it and other Bidens species are known as ʻokoʻolau.[2] It occurs in many types of habitat on Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, including rocky cliffs, dry forests, mesic forests, wet forests, and high shrublands.[2]

Subspecies[1][3]
  • B. m. ssp. micrantha (Maui)
  • B. m. ssp. ctenophylla (Sherff) Ganders & Nagata (leeward Hualālai on Hawaiʻi)
  • B. m. ssp. kalealaha Ganders & Nagata (Lānaʻi and West Maui)

Bidens micrantha
subsp. kalealaha
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Bidens
Species:
B. micrantha
Binomial name
Bidens micrantha
Synonyms[1]

While B. m. ssp. micrantha is considered secure, B. m. ssp. ctenophylla is uncommon and vulnerable and B. m. ssp. kalealaha is rare and federally listed as an endangered species.[2][4] This is a shrub forming clumps of herbage up to several feet tall. It bears plentiful flower heads with yellow ray florets. It is grown as an ornamental plant and groundcover in Hawaii.[2]

This species was used to make leis and was brewed into tea.[2]

References

  1. The Plant List, Bidens micrantha Gaudich.
  2. "Bidens micrantha". Native Plants Hawaii. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  3. "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands". Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  4. "ko`oko`olau (Bidens micrantha kalealaha)". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2011-02-08.


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