Leavenworth's Tickseed

Coreopsis leavenworthii

Leavenworth's Tickseed is a bright yellow flower that loves to bloom in sunny places. It has pretty petals that look like little rays of sunshine, making gardens and fields look cheerful!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Leavenworth's Tickseed has cheerful, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, often with darker yellow or brownish centers. Its slender stems bear narrow, grass-like leaves, creating a delicate, airy appearance that stands out in sunny fields.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCoreopsis

Photo: Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Leavenworth's Tickseed

Interesting facts

It loves sandy, poor soil where many other plants struggle to find enough nutrients to grow!

Its bright yellow petals can completely cover sunny fields, making them look like golden carpets!

Native Americans sometimes used parts of tickseed plants to create beautiful yellow dyes!

The name "Tickseed" comes from its small, dark seeds that look a bit like tiny ticks!

Special abilities

Leavenworth's Tickseed can thrive in dry, sandy soil that would harm many other plants, helping it survive arid conditions.

It releases many tiny seeds that easily re-grow nearby, allowing it to quickly spread and colonize new areas.

Its bright yellow flowers attract busy bees and butterflies, ensuring its seeds are made and new plants can grow.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-3 cm
Bloom Season: Summer-fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

Pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

sips nectar, aiding reproduction

Eaten by

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

feeds on mature seeds

Eaten by

Eastern Cottontail

Sylvilagus floridanus

grazes on tender leaves and stems

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Grassland

Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Leavenworth's Tickseed?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Leavenworth's Tickseed?

30-90 cm

How wide does Leavenworth's Tickseed spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Leavenworth's Tickseed?

2-3 cm

When does Leavenworth's Tickseed bloom?

Summer-fall

Is Leavenworth's Tickseed edible?

Is Leavenworth's Tickseed toxic?

None

What is Leavenworth's Tickseed's lifecycle?