Tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Tickseed:
- Phonetic Spelling
- kor-ee-OP-sis lan-see-oh-LAY-tah
- Description
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Lanceleaf coreopsis is a native wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that typically grows to 2' tall and occurs in prairies, glades, fields, and roadsides. It is believed native to the south-central US. It is well-established in North Carolina but is probably not native (i.e., it is naturalized). The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning "bug" and opsis meaning "like" in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick. The specific epithet means lance-shaped referring to the leaves.
It prefers full sun with moist, well-drained soil but can sprawl if grown in too fertile soil. It thrives in sandy and rocky soils and can be an aggressive self-seeder. Deadheading of spent flowers will help control self-seeding and encourage additional blooms. Division may be needed every 2-3 years to maintain robustness. They can be cut back hard if they become too sprawling.
Lanceleaf coreopsis is resistant to deer, drought, heat and humidity. Use this plant in naturalized areas, meadows, native/pollinator gardens or any area where they can spread.
Many cultivars of this species are available, including hybrids with Coreopsis grandiflora.
Quick ID Hints:
- Erect herb with opposite, narrow leaves
- Leaves occasionally with 1-2 linear lateral lobes
- Heads with 1 row of 8 ray flowers
- Rays are yellow and notched at apex
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can get weedy if not maintained.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County Retaining Wall Garden Beehive Garden, Wake Co
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Coreopsis
- Species:
- lanceolata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern Canada to south Central U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY Canada: BC, ON
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Seeds provide food for birds
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Crown rot may occur if grown in moist, poorly drained soils.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are cypselae, commonly lacking pappus awns associated with tickseeds that adhere to fibers & skin. Displays from May to July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- A head on elongated peduncles; heads 1.5-2.5" diam. with one row of ray flowers and numerous disc flowers. Rays yellow, often 8, obovate, conspicuously notch at apex; disc flowers yellow. Bloom from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, simple, linear to lanceolate to oblanceolate-linear to narrow spatulate, occasionally with 1-2 small lateral lobes, attenuate to seemingly lacking a petiole. Margins are entire to lobed. They are 3-4 inches long and 1-3 inches across.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth round green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Poor Soil
