Smallflower Sticktight
Bidens alba · Herbaceous perennial (often appearing shrub-like or small tree-form in subtropical regions)
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Tree Category
Flowering Forb / Wildflower
Variety / Cultivar
None specified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; sensitive to hard frost but often re-seeds prolifically.
About This Tree
While technically an herbaceous plant, it often grows in an upright, bushy form that mimics a small tree or shrub. It features erect, square stems, prolific white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, and a vigorous, spreading habit.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite arrangement; simple or pinnately compound with 3 to 9 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to lanceolate with serrated (toothed) margins and a vibrant green color.
Bark Characteristics
Not true bark; stems are green to reddish-purple, square-shaped when young, becoming slightly woody and fibrous at the base as the plant matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical America, including Florida and the southern United States.
Growing Season
Year-round in warm climates; peak flowering in summer and autumn; enters semi-dormancy in frost conditions.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers regular moisture but is highly drought-tolerant once established; grows in almost any soil type.
Mature Size
Typically 3 to 6 feet in height with a spread of 2 to 4 feet; rapid growth rate; short-lived perennial.
Special Characteristics
High pollinator value; aggressive spreader; seeds possess two barbed awns that stick to clothing and fur; leaves are edible and used in some traditional medicines.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical nectar source for honeybees, butterflies (such as the Zebra Longwing), and other pollinators; seeds are consumed by small birds and mammals.