New Respect for Old Foe

Joined
Jan 5, 2017
Messages
1,484
Reaction score
1,328
Location
Atlantic Beach, Fl
Hardiness Zone
9a
Country
United States
One of the books I'm reading now is titled: A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants
Authored by Rufino Osorio

I came across a part of the book that claimed that some seeds of the beggar's tick (Bidens alba) were recovered from a Spanish treasure ship, which sank back in 1622. When placed in a cup of fresh water, the 365-y/o seeds germinated and produced normal, healthy plants.

I know this plant very well, although I refer to it using the common name of Spanish needle, but it's the same plant that goes by numerous common names, but it is the Bidens alba.

If there's one plant that prevents me from having a maintenance-free garden, it's this plant. I've read before that one plant produces up to 6,000 seeds most of which are highly viable and can last years in the soil. And from all my observations -- IT IS TRUE!!

However, I'd never expect these seeds to survive over 300 years under the sea, so I checked out the story and this is what I found.

BTW, this plant is an excellent (I emphasize EXCELLENT) plant to attract pollinators; all types of bees and butterflies. However, it will completely take over my garden if I do not cut it back.


http://articles.latimes.com/1987-06-28/news/mn-531_1_seeds

Excerpt:
"Malcom said that when he sifted the seeds out of the mud and put them in fresh water, one of them sprouted. Eventually four of the seeds sprouted, and he planted them, two of which are still living. They have been tentatively identified as plants of a variety of weed called beggar's tick, or Bidens alba. The weed is common in the Caribbean."



Here's a little data on the plant: https://floridata.com/Plants/Asteraceae/Bidens+alba/898

And here's a Wikipedia article on the Spanish Galleon ship recovered: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuestra_Señora_de_Atocha
 
Joined
Mar 22, 2017
Messages
3,711
Reaction score
4,613
Location
Hampshire
Hardiness Zone
9a
Country
United Kingdom
That is so interesting...remarkable. That Arctic seed too ( in the article) sprouted after 10,000 yrs!!!:eek:
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
26,587
Messages
256,600
Members
13,258
Latest member
alba

Latest Threads

Top