Coreopsis major Walter. Common name: Woodland Coreopsis. Phenology: May-Jul. Habitat: Dry woodlands, dry and dry-mesic forests, longleaf pine sandhills, roadsides. Distribution: W. VA, WV, s. OH, and KY south to GA, FL Panhandle, s. AL, s.MS, and se. LA; disjunct in w. LA.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: How to treat the "Coreopsis major complex" (here including C. major, C. delphiniifolia, and C. verticillata) remains unclear. The group apparently includes diploids and a variety of allopolyploids and autopolyploids (at various ploidies) variously derived from components of C. major and C. verticillata. Sometimes recognized in C. major are two varieties: var. major (with leaf blades rather densely short-pubescent, outer phyllaries rather densely short-pubescent, middle leaflet of median leaves 10-30 mm wide, and leaflets herbaceous) and var. rigida (with leaf blades slightly short-pubescent to glabrous, outer phyllaries slightly short-pubescent to glabrous, middle leaflet of median leaves 5-10 (-12) mm wide, leaflets subcoriaceous and stiff). Variation and poor correlation of these features as stated and the presence of significant and apparently variation in other features requires additional study before a satisfying taxonomy can be presented.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Fl7, FNA21, K1, K3, K4, NE, NY, Oh3, S, Tn, Va, WH3, Smith (1976); = Coreopsis rigida Nutt.; = n/a – Pa; > Coreopsis major Walter var. linearis Small; > Coreopsis major Walter var. major – C, F, G, RAB, SE1, W, Sherff & Alexander (1955); > Coreopsis major Walter var. rigida – C, F, SE1, Sherff & Alexander (1955); > Coreopsis major Walter var. stellata (Nutt.) B.L.Rob. – F, G, RAB, WV, Sherff & Alexander (1955)
Links to other floras: = Coreopsis major - FNA21
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of dry upland woodlands and forests, barrens, outcrops, clearings and road banks.
Stems: Stems unbranched, hairy.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, each divided into 3 oval to lance-shaped leaflets (to 4 in. long) and thus appearing to be 6 whorled leaves; hairy.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in a loose terminal cluster, 1 1/2-3 in. wide, consisting of 8 bright yellow ray florets encircling a dense center disk of many tiny, yellow tubular florets that age to maroon-red. 2 series of bracts surround the base of the head, the outer green and narrow, and the inner yellowish-green, wider, and downcurved at the tips.
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 2-3 ft.
plant sale text: This yellow-flowered coreopsis is one of the roadside wildflowers that make summer driving a little brighter. It can be found in lean soils at woods' edge blooming its little yellow heart out. Greater tickseed is tolerant of drought and humidity, but prefers well drained soils. This is a good wildlife plant, its nectar will attract pollinators and its seed will attract birds. One feature that distinguishes this plant from many other garden-worthy coreopsis is that its opposite compound leaves give a graceful whorled impression.
bloom table text: This yellow-flowered coreopsis is one of the roadside wildflowers that make summer driving a little brighter. It can be found in lean soils at woods' edge blooming its little yellow heart out. Greater tickseed is tolerant of drought and humidity, but prefers well drained soils. This is a good wildlife plant, its nectar will attract pollinators and its seed will attract birds. One feature that distinguishes this plant from many other garden-worthy coreopsis is that its opposite compound leaves give a graceful whorled impression.
description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial of dry upland woodlands and forests, barrens, outcrops, clearings and road banks.
stems: Stems unbranched, hairy.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, each divided into 3 oval to lance-shaped leaflets (to 4 in. long) and thus appearing to be 6 whorled leaves; hairy.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in a loose terminal cluster, 1 1/2-3 in. wide, consisting of 8 bright yellow ray florets encircling a dense center disk of many tiny, yellow tubular florets that age to maroon-red. 2 series of bracts surround the base of the head, the outer green and narrow, and the inner yellowish-green, wider, and downcurved at the tips.
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States