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Bee Friendly Plants in Central Florida

Spanish Needle/Tickseed/Pitchfork Weed

Photo Taken and Copyrighted by Heather Ferrell 2020

Bidens alba or Bidens pilosa.

Considered a weed by many in central Florida, these flowers are a favorite of honeybees, butterflies, and many native pollinators. They are prolific and produce stiff black seeds that stick to clothing, pets, and skin. But if you can stand to allocate a section of your yard or garden for these somewhat shrub-like plants, they will do a great deal for a variety of pollinators in your area. According to Green Deane, “In Florida B. alba is the third most common reliable source of nectar.” He continues, “The second most common nectar producer in Florida is the saw palmetto and the top producer is the non-native, citrus.” 1)

Photo Taken and Copyrighted by Heather Ferrell 2020

1)
Deane, Green.Eat the Weeds and Other Things, Too - Spanish Needles, Pitchfork Weed.®2007-2018. 12Aug2020. http://www.eattheweeds.com/spanish-needles-pitchfork-wees/
bee_friendly_plants.1597592445.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/07/28 21:08 (external edit)