Plant Guide with Characteristics, Classification, and other detailed information

Plant Guide

Coreopsis lanceolata L.
lanceleaf tickseed
COLA5

Summary
Duration	Perennial
Growth Habit	Forb/herb
U.S. Nativity	Native to U.S.
Federal T/E Status
National Wetland Indicator	UPL, FAC

Morphology/Physiology
Active Growth Period	Spring and Summer
After Harvest Regrowth Rate	Slow
Bloat	None
C:N Ratio	Low
Coppice Potential	No
Fall Conspicuous	Yes
Fire Resistant	No
Flower Color	Yellow
Flower Conspicuous	Yes
Foliage Color	Green
Foliage Porosity Summer	Dense
Foliage Porosity Winter	Porous
Foliage Texture	Medium
Fruit/Seed Color	Black
Fruit/Seed Conspicuous	Yes
Growth Form	Single Crown
Growth Rate	Moderate
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (feet)
Height, Mature (feet)	2
Known Allelopath	No
Leaf Retention	No
Lifespan	Moderate
Low Growing Grass	No
Nitrogen Fixation
Resprout Ability	No
Shape and Orientation	Erect
Toxicity	None

Growth Requirements
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils	No
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils	Yes
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils	Yes
Anaerobic Tolerance	None
CaCO3 Tolerance	None
Cold Stratification Required	No
Drought Tolerance	Low
Fertility Requirement	Medium
Fire Tolerance	None
Frost Free Days, Minimum	180
Hedge Tolerance
Moisture Use	Medium
pH, Minimum	6
pH, Maximum	7
Planting Density per Acre, Minimum	1200
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum	3450
Precipitation, Minimum	30
Precipitation, Maximum	60
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)	6
Salinity Tolerance	None
Shade Tolerance	Intolerant
Temperature, Minimum (°F)	-8

Reproduction
Bloom Period	Late Summer
Commercial Availability	Routinely Available
Fruit/Seed Abundance	High
Fruit/Seed Period Begin	Fall
Fruit/Seed Period End	Fall
Fruit/Seed Persistence	Yes
Propagated by Bare Root	No
Propagated by Bulb	No
Propagated by Container	Yes
Propagated by Corm	No
Propagated by Cuttings	No
Propagated by Seed	Yes
Propagated by Sod	No
Propagated by Sprigs	No
Propagated by Tubers	No
Seed per Pound	221000
Seed Spread Rate	Moderate
Seedling Vigor	High
Small Grain	No
Vegetative Spread Rate	None

Suitability/Use
Berry/Nut/Seed Product	No
Christmas Tree Product	No
Fodder Product	No
Fuelwood Product	None
Lumber Product	No
Naval Store Product	No
Nursery Stock Product	Yes
Palatable Browse Animal	Low
Palatable Graze Animal	Low
Palatable Human	No
Post Product	No
Protein Potential
Pulpwood Product	No
Veneer Product	No

Kingdom Plantae -- Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta -- Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Asterales

Family Asteraceae -- Aster family

Genus Coreopsis L. -- tickseed P

Species Coreopsis lanceolata L. -- lanceleaf tickseed P

Uses

This plant is used mainly for landscape beautification. It has potential for use in cultivated, garden situations, in naturalized prairie or meadow plantings, and along roadsides.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

This plant is a clump-forming perennial herb with short rhizomes. Leaves may or may not be hairy; basal leaves are divided and the upper leaves are entire and oval-shaped. The flower heads are borne singularly or in small groups on upright stems from April to June. They are 1-2 inches in diameter and yellow with a yellow center. The seed are dark brown, winged, and curved to almost semi-circular.

Adaptation and Distribution

Lance-leaf coreopsis prefers full sun, but will tolerate light shade. On sites that are heavily shaded, plants produce fewer flowers and the stems grow taller. It can grow on many soil types, but prefers a well-drained soil. Natural stands are often found on dry, infertile sites.

Lance-leaf is distributed throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

A firm seedbed is required. Seed may be planted into a closely mowed, chemically-killed, or burned sod area with a light disking or harrowing that scratches the soil surface. When seed is sown onto a clean-tilled site, culti-packing the soil before planting is recommended. A thick layer of plant residue on the soil surface may interfere with seed germination. Broadcast or shallowly drill 5-7 grams of seed per 100 square feet (5-7 lb/acre). Planting depth should range from at the soil surface to one-eighth inch deep. Cultipacking after planting is recommended. Seed germination should occur by fall, and the plants will remain as a low-growing rosette throughout the winter.

Management

Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. If not available, a rate of 3.5-5.5 oz per 100 square feet (100-150 lb/acre) of 13-13-13 should be applied after the seedlings are established and annually thereafter. The initial mowing should be delayed until after seed set. Lance-leaf coreopsis can tolerate regular mowing during the summer and fall. However, if the plants are allowed to regrow after the initial mowing, they will usually flower sporadically throughout the summer. A fall mowing is recommended.

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Seeds of lance-leaf coreopsis are available from commercial suppliers.

Prepared By & Species Coordinator:

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center, Coffeeville, MS

Edited: 01Feb2002 JLK; 01jun06 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS Web site<https://plants.usda.gov> or the Plant Materials Program Web site <https://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov>

Attribution: U.S. Department of Agriculture