Coreopsis lanceolata
Family: Asteraceae
Description: Short lived perennial, but it self-seeds readily, and spreads by rhizomes. grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies. It grows to 60 cm (1-2 feet) tall and has leaves 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long with smooth margins, opposite. sometimes alternate near the top where the leaves are fewer. Some of the leaves are deeply cut, almost forming 3 leaflets. Flower heads are yellow, 1-1 1/2 inches across. The yellow center or disc flowers stand out distinctly from the ray flowers, which appear to be attached just below them. Ray flowers are 4-lobed. The yellow, daisy-like flowers occur singly atop long, naked peduncles.
Field Identification: It has lance shaped leaves, some are deeply cut. Leaves. The showy, yellow, daisy-like flowers occur singly at the end of stems. Usually found in large patches.
Plant Trivia: Lance-leaved coreopsis is the most common coreopsis and is easy to grow. It is drought tolerant but is not a reliably perennial. However, it self-sows readily and can become weedy. The genus name Coreopsis means “bug-like”; it comes from the Greek words “koris”, meaning “bug” and “opsis”, meaning “like”. The genus name, as well as the common name, tickseed, comes from the fact that the seeds are small and resemble ticks. The specific epithet lanceolata refers to the shape of the leaves.
Occurrence: This plant is native north of the Texas Coastal Bend but is often planted from nursery stock or seeds. This native species has branching stems at base and often forms sizable colonies along roadsides and in old fields.
Bloom Period: Mar-Aug
Plant Use: Buckeye Butterfly larval food. Many insects are attracted to the plant’s nectar and pollen, including bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles. Birds and small mammals eat the achenes. Coreopsis lanceolata is not widely known for its topical uses, but plants in the daisy family are sometimes used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may aid in calming irritated skin.
stxflora 