Coreopsis, The State Wildflower
Master Gardening
By Sally Waxgiser,
A Master Gardener volunteer with the Jackson County Extension Service
In 1963, a contractor purchased some grass seed for use on a road project just south of Tallahassee. The
seed came from a pasture that had been over seeded with Crimson Clover for cattle forage. That spring must have been just right, as the result was a bumper crop of large, beautiful Crimson clover blooms. It was a hit with the travelers and the Florida Department of Transportation was flooded with phone calls to let them know.
A roadway project was then started, but not before the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., and a research project with Florida Atlantic University helped the best species of plant evolve. This included the genus, Coreopsis, a relative of the Sunflower. Coreopsis varieties were widely planted along many roadways. In 1991, the legislature designated Coreopsis the state wildflower, due primarily to the success of these and other similar beautification projects.
Coreopsis species are commonly referred to as Tickseed. This is due to the oval "bug" shape of their seedpod. Additionally, the pod has two spines that add to its bug-like appearance. Tickseed flowers generally have eight petals that are toothed at the ends and are found in shades of yellow and gold and one of pink. There are thirteen varieties of Coreopsis native to Florida, two of which do not occur in any other part of the world. Of the thirteen species, all are found, to some degree, in the Panhandle.
The most frequent roadside Coreopsis, the Coreopsis leavenworthii (Leavenworth's Tickseed) shows its bright, sunny petals through the summer months and grows to a height between one to two feet. Leavenworth's Tickseed is one of the two Coreopsis species found only in Florida. It is found in abundance in almost every county except the most northern ones.
Occasionally during the spring and summer months, you might see a stand of golden colored Coreopsis basalis
(Goldenmane Tickseed or Dye Flower) with its red, dyed-looking center, or the yellow Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Tickseed) with its deep yellow center. Both plants grow between one and one and a half feet in height.
Come the fall, the other Coreopsis found nowhere else in the world – Coreopsis floridana ,or Florida Tickseed – will bloom. It can reach a height of three feet with its eight bright yellow-toothedpetals and a dark brown center. Coreopsis gladiata (Coastalplain Tickseed) also grows tall, up to three feet, but has eight deep golden-toothed petals with a dark brown center.
It is difficult to describe all the Coreopsis species without a picture of each. Should you like to identify them in the wild, call your Extension office. They can provide you with a picture brochure.
If you would like to plant Coreopsis in your yard or garden this fall, it is advisable to obtain seeds that came from Florida plants and if possible, your area. You will need to pay attention to the typeof soil and location of the harvested plants if not purchased from a Florida grower or native nursery. Each species of Coreopsis has its own soil, light and water requirements. When you sow the seeds, makesure the new location is similar to the old one.
For additional information about Coreopsis or other Florida wildflowers, log on to www.floridawildflowers.com or contact the Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers
Association, Inc., P. O. Box 1228, Havana, FL 32333.
You may also contact your local County Extension Office or visit the Jackson County Extension Office located at 2741 Penn Ave #3 in Marianna, phone them at 482-9620 or e-mail them at jacksonmg@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, or log on to the county Web site, http://jackson.ifas.ufl.edu .
Page created and maintained by West Florida Electric Cooperative, Inc. © 2001.
designed by embryo design