Plant Profile
Bidens torta
Kokolau, Koʻokoʻolau, Kōʻokoʻolau, Koʻolau
Main Plant Information
Genus
Bidens
Species
torta
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kokolau
- Koʻokoʻolau
- Kōʻokoʻolau
- Koʻolau
Hawaiian Names
- Kokolau
- Kookoolau
- Koolau
Common Names
- Beggarticks
- Corkscrew beggarticks
Synonyms
- Bidens fulvescens
- Bidens fulvescens f. indivisa
- Bidens micrantha var. kaalana
- Bidens personans
- Bidens waianensis
- Campylotheca micrantha f. dissecta
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Herbaceous, Medium, 1-3
- Herbaceous, Tall, Greater than 3
Life Span
No data available.
Landscape Uses
- Accent
Additional Landscape Use Information
Though not a rare species, B. torta is seldom seen in landscapes of any kind and appears to be a speciality item in the few locations known to exist. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Fine
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaf shape is variable.
Additional Leaf Color Information
Young leaves are white, golden or rusty margins
Pests and Diseases
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Spider mites, aphids, scale, spittle bugs are sometimes seen. But perhaps slugs and snails are also pests as they can at times be problematic for other koʻokoʻolau.
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Dry
- Moist
- Wet
Additional Water Information
“Water Requirements” of this species are based on habitat.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Additional Lighting Information
“Light Requirements” are based on typical growing needs of Bidens spp. in general.
Tolerances
- Drought
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Oʻahu
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- Less than 150, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Bidens torta is common on dry ridges to wet forest bogs from about 650 to around 3935 feet in the Waiʻanae Mountains and northwestern end of the Koʻolau Mountains, Oʻahu.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Koʻokoʻolau ( Bidens spp.) are members of the Aster or Sunflower family (Asteraceae). There are nineteen endemic species of Bidens .
The natives are not invasive as are some of the alien species such as kī ( Bidens pilosa ) with its harpoon-like seeds (kukū) that seem attracted to long pants, socks and shoe laces or the White beggarticks ( Bidens alba ) that blanket huge areas with “cute-but-don’t-grow-them-anyway” white and yellow flowers.
Etymology
The 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.
Background Information
All Bidens species can hybridize, which should be avoided. Individual species are often restricted to one habitat.
Hybrid swarms of B. torta and B. cervicata have been reported but conclusive evidence is not available.
Early Hawaiian Use
Leaves of all species of native koʻokoʻolau were used medicinally and for a tea tonic.
Modern Use
All species of koʻokoʻolau 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 Hawaiʻi offer two or three slightly different flavors, each a bit more subtle than commercial black tea.” [1]
Additional References
[1] “Lāʻau Hawaiʻi: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants” by Isabella Aiona Abbott, page 102.
