Bidens micrantha

Bidens micrantha
ssp. kalealaha
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Bidens
Species: B. micrantha
Binomial name
Bidens micrantha
Gaudich.

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 kōʻokoʻolau.[1] It occurs in many types of habitat on Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, including rocky cliffs, dry forests, mesic forests, wet forests, and high shrublands.[1]

There are three subspecies.[2]

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.[1][3] 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.[1]

This species was used to make leis and was brewed into tea.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Bidens micrantha". Native Plants Hawaii. http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_micrantha. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 
  2. ^ "Flora of the Hawaiian Islands". Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. http://botany.si.edu/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/result.cfm?genus=Bidens&species=micrantha&rank1=&epithet1=. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 
  3. ^ USFWS "ko`oko`olau (Bidens micrantha kalealaha)". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q1TK USFWS. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bidens_micrantha Bidens micrantha] at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Bidens micrantha at Wikispecies