Bigelow’s Beggarticks: A Native Arizona Annual Worth Knowing
If you’re passionate about native gardening in the Southwest, you might want to get acquainted with Bigelow’s beggarticks (Bidens bigelovii var. angustiloba). This native annual represents a narrow-leaved variety of a plant that’s perfectly at home in Arizona’s diverse landscapes.
Where You’ll Find This Native Beauty
Bigelow’s beggarticks is proudly native to the lower 48 states, with this particular variety calling Arizona home. As a true southwestern native, it has evolved to thrive in the unique conditions that define this region’s growing environment.
What Makes It Special
As an annual plant, Bigelow’s beggarticks completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. The var. angustiloba part of its name gives us a clue about one of its distinguishing features – it refers to the narrow-lobed characteristics that set this variety apart from the broader species.
Like other members of the Bidens family, this plant is part of a group that’s earned the somewhat cheeky nickname beggarticks – a reference to their seed dispersal strategy that involves hitching rides on passing animals (and unsuspecting gardeners!).
Should You Plant It?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While Bigelow’s beggarticks is undoubtedly a legitimate native plant worthy of consideration, detailed growing information specific to this variety is quite limited in readily available sources. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the dedicated native plant gardener.
The good news? As a native Arizona annual, it’s naturally adapted to local conditions and won’t pose invasive threats to natural ecosystems. The less straightforward news? You might need to do some detective work or connect with local native plant societies to learn the specifics of successfully cultivating this particular variety.
General Growing Considerations
While specific cultivation details for var. angustiloba are scarce, we can make some educated assumptions based on its native habitat and family characteristics:
- As an Arizona native, it likely prefers well-draining soils
- Being an annual, it will need to be replanted each season or allowed to self-seed
- Its natural habitat suggests it can handle southwestern heat and dry conditions
- Like many native annuals, it probably performs best with minimal irrigation once established
The Bottom Line
Bigelow’s beggarticks represents one of those fascinating native plants that reminds us there’s still so much to learn about our local flora. While it may not be the easiest native plant to research or source, it offers the dedicated native gardener a chance to work with a truly local species.
If you’re interested in trying this plant, your best bet is connecting with Arizona native plant societies, botanical gardens, or specialized native plant nurseries. They may have more detailed growing information or even access to seeds.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for well-documented native Arizona annuals for your garden, consider exploring other members of the Bidens family or consulting with local native plant experts who can recommend similar species with more readily available cultivation information.
