Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet var. grandiflora

Large Flower Tickseed; Showy Tickseed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Large Flower Tickseed is a native perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Large Flower Tickseed occurs in disturbed areas, on roadsides, in prairies, and on glades and outcrops. It is a branched, erect to reclining, herbaceous short-lived perennial from a short rhizome. The stems are green in color and glabrous or pubescent. There are usually 6-10 nodes below the peduncles. Leaves are primarily cauline, though in some forms basal leaves may also be present. The leaves are opposite, petiolate or sessile, pinnately lobed or dissected with 3-9 lobes or rarely simple. The lobes vary greatly in width and length from elliptic to lanceolate, linear, or filiform. The leaves are glabrous or slightly pubescent. Flowers are produced in terminal heads. The heads have 8 yellow ray flowers and 50-80 yellow disc flowers. The fruit is a winged achene. The wings of the achene are entire or irregularly toothed. There is considerable variability in Large Flowered Tickseed with numerous species/subspecies/varieties having been described. This species is often planted on roadsides and in wildflower meadows with persisting or escaped plants being common. These plantings often consist of seed collected in Texas or the central U.S., adding to the confusion of trying to identify local plants. Large Flower Tickseed is one of the most popular wildflowers for planting in natural and formal gardens. It is available as both seed and plants from many sources. It can be used in meadows, pollinator gardens, and in perennial beds. It prefers a dry to medium sandy soil in full sun, but is adaptable. Removing the heads after the ray flowers fall promotes longer flowering and prevents self-seeding.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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