Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.

Plains Tickseed; Golden Tickseed; Calliopsis

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Plains Tickseed is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to the Great Plains from Canada to Mexico, but is widely planted and has escaped throughout North America. In Alabama it can be found throughout most of the state. Plains Tickseed occurs on roadsides, in prairies, in fields and pastures, and in other disturbed areas. It is an annual with a tap root. Stems are erect, 1-4 feet in height, green or brown in color, and glabrous. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, with 1-3 pinnate lobes. The segments of the leaf blade are filiform to linear or lanceolate in outline. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are solitary or in corymbs. Each head has 5 yellow ray flowers often with a reddish spot at the base, and numerous yellow disc flowers. The fruit is a flattened achene. Plains Tickseed is often included in “wildflower” seed mixes and is also grown for a cut flower. The plants prefer a sunny location with a loamy soil. It is easily grown from seed, and will often reseed in the garden. Several forms are available including ones with ray flowers all yellow or all reddish brown. The flowers have been used to produce a dye.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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