EatTheWeeds: Episode 75: Spanish Needles, Bidens

[@jalvarn]

What a valuable man of society! For lunch, I had tortillas, hummus made from scratch, onion and garlic from the garden and BIDENS cooked your way. Delicious! I looked down at my plate and realized that this delicious plate of beautiful, nourishing food had cost pennies! Thanks, Green Deane. What a teacher!

[@extropiantranshuman]

sounds awesome!

[@AuthArtist]

Dear Green Deane, It would be splendid if you could please do an update video on the Bidens alba. Thank you for being so gracious and generous with your superlative knowledge, as it speaks volumes about your honourable character. I am grateful for this valuable information that is freely shared. Cheers

[@yedidyah-jedshlomoh1533]

I heard somewhere the early settlers survived on mostly needles in the early spring. I guess you would say this was a lightbulb coming on for me. My backyard is full of them.

[@shidifenhamengde5309]

The seeds are edible and quite tasty, much more so than the leaves! You just need to sprout them. It only takes a few days. Try to make sure the seeds don't ball up in a big mass because of the little prongs on the end interlocking with other prongs. The fiddly bit is removing the seed case after sprouting, which isn't edible. I eat them on fresh bread. Delicious!

[@mikethefenceguy]

So you're not actually eating a seed you're eating the sprout?

[@FloridaAdventuring]

Thanks for the video, Green Deane. Question: I'm trying to figure what are the five best plants for wilderness survival in Florida. I'm looking for plants that are fairly nutritious, economical (in terms of calories expended) to gather, easy to prepare, and as idiot-proof (few chances for a mix-up with a toxic plant) as possible. Please share with me your ideas. Thanks. And, once again, great work. Hope to meet you sometime.

[@jessicamasterson4394]

Great information about this wonderful weedy plant. I have bees so I do not pull them out of the ground. Will forage the leaves however and saute them. Thanks again.

[@gracebeckwith1256]

I appreciate all you do as well as your sense of humor. Thank you!

[@greendeane1]

Thanks.

[@kevinmccoy3653]

I only grow plants for pollinator value, and would say this is the BEST pollinator plant I've ever grown, excepting Texas Thistle. I started from seed early in the spring, and they all took off- flowering all spring, summer, and still heavy in early October (In California). My plants are covered in bees and small butterflies. The ground squirrels found them and ate ALL the leaves of most of them-- I started spraying Deer Off, and even the ones that were only stems have taken off again. Love this plant!!

[@chrisbrice4679]

but i thought silica was needed by the body fpr producing amd breaking down certain vitamins and minerals in the body? also this plant works amazing for any insect stings or wounds in genral. just place it in your mouth chew a little amd place it on whatever wound or bite you may have, it takes away the stings almost instantly.

[@DowntownSound1]

chris brice GRACIAS. 👍

[@divinelivity1111]

Thanks much my brother. I have it here. From now on I will respect this plant even more

[@EatTheWeeds]

The entire flower is edible, but the petals are milder than the center.

[@EatTheWeeds]

No, although I have enough material for one. In truth a book doesn't make it much easier. The best thing is to go with some one and learn one plant at a time. I recommend the local chapter of the Native Plant Society. They usually have a wild foods expert and for cheap you get to wander monthly with an expert. For most of human history that was how it was done.

[@sumisuman17]

Thanks, RESISTOR, i always worry about when people get old and sick and be at the mercy of everybody and rough medicine. There's an old proverb that the paths of the old are paved with rocks and thorns. Any relief for the old, sick and disabled should be generously shared, at least because we will all be there some day! Thanks, Dean, for attracting Green people!

[@EatTheWeeds]

@IJnet Did you use young plants and or growing tips? Did you cook it?

[@dwiggs77]

good video, these grow all over where i live. I never knew what they were. they seem to grow in newly disturbed sandy fields, alongside the ragweeds. those seeds love to grab hold of socks.

[@kooyawn00]

Hey Green Deane, love your channel! I have one question about bidens alba. What I now believe to be this plant has been taking over part of my herb garden. I've love to be able to leave it alone and perhaps even eat some from time to time. Is there anything toxic that I might confuse this plant for? It has the square stem, opposite leaflets in threes, small hairs at the leaf nodes, white 5-petalled flowers and the long thin seeds w/ little burs on the end. Thanks for all your awesome videos!

[@RMCrowley]

Love your shows Green Dean.. I'm getting ready to go Morel Mushroom hunting.. Any tips?

[@BigIndianBindi-jy1cz]

I'm wondering if these contain oxalates the way spinach does, and if oxalates go into the cooking water, and if drinking that water is consuming the oxalates.

[@dayjobluke8]

Cooked some today and although not that good buy themselves , a creative cook could adorn them like you.Ive watched most of your videos and you always start out in front of those ferns. Are they sword ferns? I love the small round crunchy tubers of the ferns. Thanks again for your wisdom .

[@gaiangnosis5218]

Do the leaves have to be strained after cooking?

[@SylvanusTheGreenMan]

Hello Dean and THANKS for your series! I live in Arizona & am beginning to learn more about eating the weeds ;). Can you tell me how Bidens ferulifolia and Arizona Beggarticks (Bidens Aurea) compare in edibility??

[@kakandecharlse8548]

Common in East Africa. in Central Uganda it's were. Locally used on fresh scruches

[@novembersunflower968]

Hey Deane! Many blessings! Great video! I have these all over - my new spinach 😁. Saw you in Orlando 2 years ago. Phenomenal wisdom! Love to eat all the free weeds! Peace, Love & Light to ALL. 🕉💜🌌,🍁👩‍🌾🌻

[@williammay2332]

I'm eating on these but I have them growing in between the lantana along the front walk. Not more than a minute or two goes by on summer days when the bees (4 different species), butterflies (at least 10 species including 2 swallowtails) and hummingbirds stop by to nectar/pollen up from both plants.

[@greendeane1]

Bidens is an important pollen plant in the sate.

[@dazigg]

Hey Deane, 2 things please. Do Bidens live in eastern WV? Because they sound delicious and I would like to eat them. Also, if I made a video this summer of this plant that keeps growing near my house, if the quality were good, do you think maybe you could take a shot at identifying it? I've got no idea what it is.

[@FloridaAdventuring]

Thank you, Green Deane. I'll check them out. All the best.

[@katerinaskronta1926]

Hello! Bidens alba is edible too? Thank you! Great videos!

[@EatTheWeeds]

@FloridaAdventuring Cattails, Acorns, Apios american, Cnidosculus stimulosus, Dactyloctenium aegyptium (and if you want to study a little Dioscorea alata.)

[@EatTheWeeds]

@treyisdaman3 I've done a class in Gainsville and woud like to do another one if I can get ten students to show up. And yes, there are several juvenile plants that like like the bidens but none that I know of that look like it when they are grown up. (Well, there is a yellow blossom bidens but I don't think that is what you mean.)

[@EatTheWeeds]

In my article on my website I have far more information than is ever contain in a video. The young leaves are edible.

[@jalvarn]

Green Deane, I love this video and maybe the answer to this question is here but I can't fine it. Are the young leaves edible or just the young sprouts? I see you answered a post by asking which the inquirer ate.

[@BougieMagicwithGinaWelds]

Another question: You mentioned the young leaves of the Biden are edible, but should preferably be cooked first. Would you suggest not eating the older leaves at all, then? Could you clarify, please?

[@greendeane1]

You can eat older leaves but they are stronger flavored and tougher.

[@LaMomB]

Appreciating the lessons learned from you. Bidens look good in groups in the nature-around the ditches, good and useful plants just would overtake my garden plots so will be trying to keep them contained further away, near my banana, gingers, 4 o'clocks etc. Thanks again.

[@PartisonConfederate]

Thanks Green Deane, keep up the great work. On to 100.

[@tamron7863]

Hey Deane I have lots of those weeds in my yard the ones with white petal and yellow in the center. I new they had to be great! Ya they have no respect! Now that I know what to do with them I will give them respect and enjoy . I love your videos and I also live in florida I will email ya! Great job on your presentations also

[@kevenskilatonyius2178]

one any can grow . is buzzy with Bees all day

[@masonsmith858]

Its absorbs Cadmium from the soil, I wonder if that could be an issue in certain soil profiles. Cadmium can be toxic

[@greendeane1]

It also takes up silica.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks... I've got 76 done and 77/80 planned. In fact I was going to work on them today but some damned plane was buzzzing around for hours.... couldn't take any video.

[@youmakemehappy7]

Can you eat the stems? If so, how do you eat them? Raw? Cooked?

[@greendeane1]

Yes, but they are tough.

[@RonRay]

I wasn't sure of this plant until you showed the seeds... The seeds are the things that are so bad about sticking to white cotton socks! We used to call them "Stick-Me-Tights", yet that name probably pertains to many hang-on seeds. I was going to ask about the plant at 2:10 - 2:26, to the left of your hand with 5 'star' configured leaves, but I see someone else already did. "Virginia Creeper"! (kissasstus goodbyeus!) ô.ô Is there a good 'online' resource for poisonous or toxic plants?

[@BougieMagicwithGinaWelds]

Is the Tassle Flower edible as well? I didn't understand from the video. I know the Tachys Floridana is.

[@greendeane1]

The Florida Tassel Flower is NOT edible. Long term it can cause liver damage.

[@BougieMagicwithGinaWelds]

Thank you! I just finished a walk through my garden, and I have a lot of the Spanish Needle. I will admire the Tassel flower as a Florida wildflower only, however.

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@treyisdaman3]

Hey Deane, are there any plants that can be mistaken for Bidens? I am also in Florida and keep eying your class schedule. Have you ever thought about doing a class in Gainesville?

[@winterskyshadow35]

It looks like it would make a great omlete.

[@catherinetolbert3207]

Really enjoyed

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

1/3 of nectar in FL from bidens! amazing. what are the top blossoms that provide for bees to make honey in FL?

[@chocoluvr258]

how do spanish needles adapt to polluted habitats? im doing a project on spanish needles and i really need help :(

[@thanrose]

Is Bidens Alba wine resinous tasting? Have you made any?

[@dilciaseecharan2146]

Thanks for sharing

[@llrllr3115]

Can someone please help I have tried several platforms and have yet to get a clear answer as to whether the root of this plant is edible

[@greendeane1]

I am told by herbalists they are used in a tincture for urinary track infections. They are not eaten as food.

[@llrllr3115]

@@greendeane1 Hi Green Deane, thank you for the information.

[@edwardfernandez7516]

is good for stomach ulcers!!(the leave only)

[@brianhaley4471]

I harvest Bidens tripartita (three-lobed beggarticks), dry and use for tea. It is a great for shrinking prostate. I use this instead of medication. The tea has a pleasant flavor, similar to swiss chard.

[@trapperkreeper6105]

My chickens seek these plants out above all others and eat the leaves, but avoid the seeds.

[@DBPR01]

Great stuff brother!

[@stargateproductions]

Would you ever write a book on wild edibles?

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

I'm interested in making wine with them. You have a recipe you're willing to share??? Thanks again. :-)

[@EatTheWeeds]

Because I volunteered for duty in the Army during Vietnam I was 22 through 25 in college (I finished in three years.) I knew a student who had essentially diplomatic immunity and he had marijuana from Ethiopia. It was amazing stuff. Haven't had any interest since I finished college. I see it fairly often while out running around but I leave it be.

[@NWforager]

I'd start with a color carry-with-you Identifier / field guide. A lot of edible guides rightly shy away from giving mushroom info for obvious reasons.

[@WhatDadIsUpTo]

New subscriber. Rob Moffet sent me here via a link from his chanel.

[@jinayaoneal1885]

It is rampant in my garden. I couldn't get rid of it. I will have to eat it.

[@zo1379]

The only Biden I can get down with

[@elenaiakovleva3686]

Thank you so much!

[@unicron24]

thank you for your consistancy,thanks for the meat,good to know these things about our world we share...

[@sumisuman17]

Noted what you said about the seeds - NOT for eating! They would have made for a nice munch, as seeds go. I have pilosa in pots so as to contain them and intend to use them as greens. There are reports that say the leaves have compounds that promote oesophageal cancer, though.

[@dilciaseecharan2146]

Can it be eating raw

[@madmachanicest9955]

spreading these plants around Orchard would be a very a good way to prevent colony collapse disorder bees need to manch honey from a mix of diffrent plants to be heathy and this stuff grows just about anywhare.

[@larryland2462]

If the silica from this plant can cause problems what about the horse tail plant?

[@greendeane1]

My understand is yes, horsetail plant can be a problem because of silica.

[@jonsutton1986]

Thanks for the video very informative, the Bidens randomly grew next to my neem tree.

[@darlatobin2240]

Why is silica bad? I thought it was good for the body??

[@constantinesavage1719]

I will certainly make wine with it bro thanks.

[@yedidyah-jedshlomoh1533]

Thank you

[@feralkevin]

Thanks, Deane. I've never seen a Biden anywhere near here. Sounds great, though. I love the Spring!

[@dilciaseecharan2146]

My backyard is full of them 2

[@joeGuizan]

Plenty in my area. Just learning that it is given to pigs not to get too fat. Weight loss.

[@MTOCZY]

You said don't eat it if it's growing near what?

[@greendeane1]

Opals

[@dilciaseecharan2146]

Why did u cook it twice you are leaving all the nutrients in the water

[@tamle758]

omg ! thank you for this video , mine grow like wild , i always save it for the bee, it took over my yard where my dog can't even walk.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, a little, but no where near as much as retsina.

[@greendeane1]

Citrus and palms, respectively.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@kooyawn00 Sounds good. Send me a picture. Usually the only time Bidens can be confused with other plants is when it is young and mixed in with ornamentals. Then they can be confused with other young plants.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Hi Kevin.. grow the beard back.... The USDA says the edible Bidens pinnata grows in California, big state though

[@terribelle3]

What about bidens frondosa??

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, B. pilosa grows in Kentucky, and other Bidens as well so make sure you get the right one and edible ones. Sure I'll lo0ok at your video.

[@Christopher-be1qc]

Hi weed man!

[@EatTheWeeds]

Cooked, yes, sparingly raw but doable.

[@Pikknick]

Hehe, dont think I've seen you, dont know the name of a plant before :) anyways, looking forward to your 100th video xD Keep em comin'!

[@hunterbiden001]

thanks to wiki4all on bringing out this plant for covid

[@EatTheWeeds]

Like most plants it will grow in polluted areas. I doubt any one has does specific research on Bidens alba. But as all Bidens are used in a similar way I would research other Bidens and their possible uptake of pollutants.

[@chicksurferhowdy4386]

A man wrote a book about the Side's and I think Bidens also. William Bruneau. He loves these herbs. And thank you sir for info. So cooking takes dangers out for one meal a day?

[@ijnet9247]

I thought it tasted horrible, rough texture in the mouth, but my rabbits like it.

[@debrajohnson8030]

I have some but the leaves look different than yours , the leaves are scraggly and have yellow flowers so I'm not sure if THEY are Biden's.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Be careful....

[@dilciaseecharan2146]

Spanish needles are edible

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks. Just make sure your bidens is an edible one.

[@EatTheWeeds]

In is NOT edible. That five-leaved plant is young virginia creeper, quite toxic, can kill a child and leave an adult on kidney dialysis for life. It is NOT edible.

[@greendeane1]

No, Florida Tassel Flower is NOT edible.

[@ijnet9247]

@IJnet Speaking of Bidens - taste horrible.

[@jokertim777]

The Bidens Pelosa sounds far more useful than the current crop of Binden Pelosi that we are growing in Washington DC (sorry, I couldn't resist).

[@vader7306]

You couldn’t be more right that is actually very weird you called exactly what’s going on now back than.

[@extropiantranshuman]

you had to get political bringing politics into something so unrelated like botany? 12 years in advance too lol jk ;)

[@TSis76]

Thank you!!