WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Scattered in England and Wales mainly around Birmingham. Habitat includes: Damp places such as rivers, canals, damp wasteland, tips, urban areas, ports, docks etc. Growing habit: Annual. Flowers: June to October. Height: Up to 1 m. Other names include: Devil's Beggarticks, Devil's-pitchfork, Devil's Bootjack, Sticktights, Bur Marigold, Pitchfork Weed, Tick-seed Sunflower, Leafy Beggarticks, Common beggar-ticks. First cultivated in Britain in 1710. It was first recorded as a casual in 1918 but not known as a naturalised plant until it was found on a canal towpath near Birmingham in 1952 probably as a wool alien.