Water marigold
Bidens beckii · Aquatic plants
Flowers or seeds · Photo: Norma Malinowski / CC BY
Also called Megalodonta beckii, Beck's water marigold
How to identify Water marigold
- Underwater leaves finely divided into threadlike segments
- Emergent leaves simple and toothed, if present
- Bright yellow daisylike flowers above the water in late summer
Similar plants
Water buttercup and milfoil have similar fine leaves, but water marigold leaves are opposite and its flowers are yellow daisies.
Growth profile
| Growing season | Starts growing in late spring, flowers from August into September, and dies back in fall, overwintering as rooted stems and seed. |
|---|---|
| Starts growing | About 55 F water |
| Light | Needs clear water |
| Depth | 1 to 8 feet |
| How it spreads | Seeds and stem fragments |
| Habitat | Clear, quiet lakes and ponds over soft mud or sand. |
Why it matters in a lake
Very rare in the region; native in Idaho, while the few records in Oregon may be introduced. Indicates clean water.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Rare
- Oregon: Rare
- Wyoming: Not recorded
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Scientific name | Bidens beckii |
Eurasian watermilfoil
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Coontail
Elodea
Sago pondweed
Leafy pondweed
Common bladderwort
White water buttercup
Slender naiadNeed a hand?
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