Kookoolau or Corkscrew beggarticksAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Waianae Mts., northwest Koolau Mts., Oahu only)Photo: Oahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")EtymologyThe generic name Bidens is derived from the Latin bi, two, and dens, teeth in reference to the pappus awns or collective bristles on the achenes (fruit, seeds).The specific epithet torta is from the Latin tortus, winding or meandering, in reference to the strongly twisted or tightly coiled achenes (fruit) of this species and also giving it the vernacular name Corkscrew beggarticks.
Kookoolau or Mauna Loa beggarticksAsteraceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_menziesii_filif...
Kookoolau or Mauna Loa beggarticksAsteraceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")NPH00006nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_menziesii_filif...
Kookoolau or Mauna Loa beggarticksAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Leeward sides of and in saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on Hawaii island)Oahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")EtymologyThe name Bidens is derived from the Latin bi, two, and dens, teeth in reference to the pappus awns or collective bristles on the achenes (fruit, seeds).The species epithet menziesii refers to Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, and the first to taxonomically identify the species.NPH00006nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_menziesii_filif...
Kookoolau or Mauna Loa beggarticksAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Leeward sides of and in saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on Hawaii island)Oahu (Cultivated)Closeup of flowerswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4822614970/in/photostream/Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")EtymologyThe name Bidens is derived from the Latin bi, two, and dens, teeth in reference to the pappus awns or collective bristles on the achenes (fruit, seeds).The species epithet menziesii refers to Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, and the first to taxonomically identify the species.NPH00004nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_menziesii_filif...
Kookoolau or Mauna Loa beggarticksAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island on leeward sides of and in saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea)Oahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the leaves in hot teas and tonics. Today, all species of kookoolau can be brewed as a tonic and each are said to have distinct flavors. Regarding Bidens spp., Isabella Abbott comments that "I find that the roughly half a dozen species common in Hawaii offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea." ("Lau Hawaii: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants")EtymologyThe name Bidens is derived from the Latin bi, two, and dens, teeth in reference to the pappus awns or collective bristles on the achenes (fruit, seeds).The species epithet menziesii refers to Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, and the first to taxonomically identify the species.The subspecific epithet filiformis (filiforme), means thread or filament-like, refer to the narrow un-branching leaves.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bidens_menziesii_filif...
