Bidens pilosa

Cobbler's Pegs, Farmer's Friend at Banks, ACT

Bidens pilosa at Banks, ACT - 3 Mar 2020
Bidens pilosa at Banks, ACT - 3 Mar 2020
Bidens pilosa at Banks, ACT - 3 Mar 2020
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Identification history

Bidens pilosa 4 Mar 2020 michaelb

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User's notes

Photo shows lots of plants at the seeding stage, 1000 plus. In Rob Roy Reserve, beside the steep uphill fire trail to the east of Banks, and near the water tank. The photo is taken at the epicentre of the infestation, and there are others scattered further afield.

4 comments

   10 Mar 2020
I asked Steve Taylor re whether he could spray this infestation. It is not a priority outside conservation areas for the following reason, but would be considered within the weed control strategy for a particular reserve.
Was just checking all the various mapping databases with respect to Bidens pilosa (CBR Nature Map, Atlas of Living Australia, INaturalist, Collector for ArcGIS app, Weeds of the SE, herbarium on line records). And it is has now been recorded across urban Canberra - over 50 seperate records. So given risk rating and this distribution, it is not an eradication target, so infestations in low conservation areas are a low priority.

Paul Downey’s draft strategy would place it in the ‘inspection’ category. That is monitor and undertake further risk assessment to determine threat level for high conservation grasslands.

Interestingly it was collected during Cooks second voyage on an island close to Australia. So it had already spread from America that long ago.
Mike wrote:
   10 Mar 2020
It was collected by J. Banks in 1770 at Botany Bay NSW and Endeavour River QLD, originally as other Bidens species but later re-identified. Under some definitions it should be classed as 'native' (prior to 1788).
I have found only small numbers and try hard to eradicate them.
michaelb wrote:
   10 Mar 2020
Thanks Michael M
I have had a lot to do with this plant, having lived up the north coast for a while (1980's), and pulled up lots of them then.
All it needs is a bit of space, some rain and warm weather and it goes bananas.
I've observed the spread of this weed here at Rob Roy and Banks and it is quite alarming how quickly it spreads. The rangers have tried to control it at this location before, and were mostly successful, but apparently missed some and now they have got away again.
I hope Steve Taylor sprays this lot, but he should not do it now, because he won't see all the ones that are scattered further afield away from the epicentre.
I will put in another sighting later when they have reached a bigger size and he will be able to see better where they are.
michaelb wrote:
   1 Apr 2020
A follow up sighting has been recorded, 31 March 2020. See:
Daisy Bidens pilosa (Cobblers Pegs, Pitch-forks, Farmer's Friend) on 31 Mar 2020

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  • 1,001 - 10,000 Abundance
  • 3 Mar 2020 07:05 PM Recorded on
  • michaelb Recorded by

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  • Less than 10cm Plant height

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