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Coreopsis, Golden tickseed, Atkinson's tickseed, Dyer's Coreopsis, Plains Coreopsis, Annual Coreops
Coreopsis tinctoria

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae


What it is like

Bloom Color: Orange, Red, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Coreopsis tinctoria is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf from April to November, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.8


Where it is found

Moist low ground. Roadsides and waste places.

Central and Eastern N. America - Minnesota to Texas.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Common to Canada (from Quebec to British Columbia), Northeast Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas), and the United States, especially the Great Plains and Southern states. Naturalized in China.


How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

A tea can be made from the dried plant. It was used as a coffee substitute.

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A tea made from the roots is emetic and is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea. An infusion of the whole plant without the root has been used by women desiring a female baby.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Other

Rating: 1

A yellow (red with an acid mordant) dye is obtained from the flowers and is used to dye cloth. It is not very good when used on plant fibres. The flowers can be dried for later use. Cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens, and as a native plant for wildlife gardens and natural landscaping.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife


How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Specimen. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a fertile well-drained moisture retentive medium soil. Does well in sandy soils. Requires a sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant. A good bee plant. Special Features: Attracts birds, North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can also be sown in situ outdoors.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 2-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist


Things to keep in mind

This plant can be weedy or invasive


Its other names

Local names

This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Synonyms