Burr Marigold: How to ID It, Use It, or Get Rid of It

Ever had sticky burrs cling to your clothes after a walk near a pond? That’s often burr marigold (a Bidens species). It’s common in wet places, and people either love it for pollinators or hate it as a fast-spreading weed. This guide tells you how to spot it, what it does, and practical ways to manage it.

How to Identify Burr Marigold

Look for bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with short petals and a round center. Leaves are opposite, sometimes toothed or lobed, and the plant can range from low-growing to about 2–3 feet tall. The giveaway is the seed: small, barbed “burrs” that stick to fur, shoes, and clothing and spread easily. It blooms in summer and early fall, usually along streams, ditches, wet fields, and pond edges.

Don’t confuse it with garden marigolds (Tagetes). Garden marigolds have stronger scent and different leaves. Burr marigold belongs to the Bidens group—think sticky seeds, wet habitats, and a wild look rather than a tidy garden flower.

Use, Risks, and When to Remove It

Burr marigold can be useful. Bees, flies, and other pollinators visit the flowers a lot, so it helps local insect life. Some traditional uses list Bidens plants in basic herbal remedies, but you should not self-medicate; effects vary by species and dose, and allergic reactions are possible.

Still, it becomes a problem when it overruns pastures, clogs waterways, or spreads into lawns. The barbed seeds travel far, so if you want to keep it out of garden beds or hay fields, you’ll need to act early.

How to control it: pull young plants by hand when soil is moist so roots come out. Cut or mow before it sets seed to stop more burrs. For larger infestations in non-sensitive areas, spot-treat with a selective herbicide labeled for broadleaf weeds—follow local guidelines and avoid spraying near water unless the product is approved for aquatic use. You can also reduce spread by cleaning shoes, pets, and equipment after visiting wet areas.

If you want some on purpose, sow seeds in wet, low-competition spots and expect it to self-seed. To discourage it, improve drainage, plant dense native grasses or groundcovers, and remove flower heads before seeds form.

Quick ID checklist you can use on a walk: yellow daisy-like flowers, opposite toothed leaves, barbed seeds that stick, growth near water. That simple combo usually nails the ID.

No magic trick fixes a full infestation overnight, but taking action before seeds spread makes control easy. Decide whether you value the pollinator benefits or need to protect crops and lawns, then pick hand-pulling, mowing, or targeted herbicide as your plan. Want help picking a herbicide or native replacement plants? Check local extension resources for species grown in your area.