This annual grows up to 3 feet tall. The lance-shaped leaves are opposite on the stem, sharply toothed and without stalks. The flower disks are dull yellow, without petal-like ray-florets. The leaf-like bracts – about 8 frame the flower disk – are lance-shaped and much wider than those of the other beggar ticks species (A). The fruit is an achene; it has sharp barbs which stick to fur and clothing. The beggar ticks are quite variable and often difficult to identify positively in the field. This one has no ray florets and about 8 wide bracts. See also the description for Bidens frondosa, the other beggar ticks without ray florets found in our area.