Tall Tick Seed
(Coreopsis tripteris)

Left: Coreopsis tripteris flowers (Image from gardenia.net)

Top: Coreopsis tripteris flowers and foliage (Image from grownative.org)

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Tall tickseed is a perennial. Tall tickseed requires partial shade with moist soil texture.

Growth Habit/Description:

Tall tick seed grows 3-9ft in height.

Bloom Season:

Late summer/Fall. It has a yellow flower with long round yellow petals and a brown center.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Even though tall tickseeds bloom late, they go dormant in the winter.

http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Coreopsis%20tripteris.png

Distribution

Habitat: Eastern United States and even eastern Canada. Tall tickseeds can be found in prairies, savannas, thickets, and wooded areas.

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. Tall tickseed is the host plant for the Weavy Line Emerald

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. Tall tickseed, especially the flowers, attract butterflies, bees, and birds. Deer largely ignores tall tickseed.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name:

The name "coreopsis" is derived from the Greek word for bug (koris) and like (opsis). It received the name due to its seed looking similar to a tick, hence the name tickseed.

Related Plant Species:

A related plant species to Coreopsis tripteris is Coreopsis tinctoria. Coreopsis tinctoria, also called the garden tickseed, is found in Arkansas The biggest difference between the two is that Corepsis tinctoria has larger, more complex flower petals with the middle of the flower being more red/orange compared to Coreopsis tripteris's brown flower center.

Use For Food/Medicine:

The roots of Coreopsis when infused into tea can help treat diarrhea.