Yellow roadside flowers (Chapel Hill, Apex: chapel, house, subdivision)

[hula]

Each fall I see these flowers bloom all over the roadsides around here. They're very pretty and because they seem to be so common I've thought about stopping and digging up a few to plant in my backyard. Anyone know what these are (so I don't get into some rash) & if it's okay to just help myself? I took the photo with my cellphone so it's' not the greatest, but I think you'll get the idea.

[lovebrentwood]

Probably not a good idea to dig up any flowers on any roadside. Most roadsides belong to someone or some entity.

You might want to break off one stem and bring it to a garden center for identification.

[SunnyKayak]

those flowers belong to the state and us tax payers im surprise uf you don't get arrested by the state
for admitting on a public forum of stealing from the state IMO

[frankpc]

My guess would be some type of Aster ... especially as a fall bloom.

Frank

[BayVillage]

There are tons of those growing around Apex every fall. The walking trail in my subdivision is full of them. I'm sure you can walk into any park or wooded area and find some that you could "pick".

[hula]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

those flowers belong to the state and us tax payers im surprise uf you don't get arrested by the state
for admitting on a public forum of stealing from the state IMO

Kind of jumping the gun, don't you think? I simply asked the question and you're ready to cuff me! Give me a break!

[Flowerchild08]

Don't know but they are pretty.

[ragdolls4me]

Hula, these flowers are Tickseed Sunflower, or Bidens aristosa. Thanks for asking the question cause that led me look it up and I had been curious, also. They are native to NC and obviously grow under most any condition! My wildflowers field guide says they produce prickly "stickers" that cling to your clothing during autumn--where I grew up we called them "beggars lice"...I had forgotten all about those!

If you have permission from a landowner you can dig all you want. I think it is illegal to dig native plants from public land--the logic is, if everyone digs natives there will be no more.

[hula]

Originally Posted by ragdolls4me

Hula, these flowers are Tickseed Sunflower, or Bidens aristosa. Thanks for asking the question cause that led me look it up and I had been curious, also. They are native to NC and obviously grow under most any condition! My wildflowers field guide says they produce prickly "stickers" that cling to your clothing during autumn--where I grew up we called them "beggars lice"...I had forgotten all about those!

If you have permission from a landowner you can dig all you want. I think it is illegal to dig native plants from public land--the logic is, if everyone digs natives there will be no more.

Thanks so much for that info, and for such a hospitable response...

Prickly stickers don't sound like any fun at all. I saw some at a house this evening and thought about stopping and asking them if they'd be willing to share, but not so sure now. Any flower with stickers is better observed from afar.

I think someone mentioned Astors. I wonder if these are in the same family and if they come up every year in this climate... Anyone know?

[ragdolls4me]

Prickly maybe wasn't the right word and by stickers I don't mean like a briar; it's more like a flat triangular seedpod with a fuzzy outside that clings to your clothing.

You might check out Niche Gardens online or a visit to their store is also fun. They are in Chapel Hill and have bunches of native perennials.