Spanish needles (Bidens pilosa L.) is a common and pestiferous weed in nearly all tropical and subtropical areas. While it is primarily regarded as a subject for eradication, it has usefulness as a cover crop and fodder and source of nectar for honeybees. It is employed to some extent in native medicine and as food. Culinary trials ofB. pilosa var. radiata in South Florida indicate that the young shoots of this and other varieties might well be more widely eaten as cooked greens.