Capitaneja
Bidens aurea
Family: Asteraceae
Large herbaceous perennial growing about 3-4’ high x 4’ wide. Reseeds readily in the landscape.
Grow in full to part sun, moderate to regular water, hardy to 0° F. Flowers begin to appear in late monsoon weather and last until frost.
Very nectar rich flowers, heavily visited by pollinating insects. Larval host to the Arizona sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electellum), and dart moths (noctuid moths in the Agrotis genus), and to the dainty sulfur (Nathalis iole) and Arizona metalmark (Calephelis arizonensis). Granivorous birds love the flowers.
The genus, Bidens, is derived from the Latin bis, twice and dens, tooth, hence meaning 2-toothed, while aurea means golden, probably referring to the color of the phyllaries.
Found in moist soil near streams, in marshes, or in seeps and springs from 3,000-6,000 ft in southern Arizona, south to Guatemala.