| Coreopsis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Coreopsis gigantea | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
| Tribe: | Coreopsideae |
| Genus: | Coreopsis L. |
| Species | |
|
Many, see text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Acispermum Neck. | |
Coreopsis (/ˌkɒriːˈɒpsɪs/[2]) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Common names include calliopsis and tickseed, a name shared with various other plants.
These plants range from 46–120 centimetres (18–47 inches) in height. The flowers are usually yellow with a toothed tip, but may also be yellow-and-red bicolor.[3] They have showy flower heads with involucral bracts in two distinct series of eight each, the outer being commonly connate at the base. The flat fruits are small and dry and look like insects.
There are 75–80 species of Coreopsis, all of which are native to North, Central, and South America. The name Coreopsis is derived from the Ancient Greek words κόρις (transl. grc – transl. koris), meaning "bedbug", and ὄψις (transl. grc – transl. opsis), meaning "view", referring to the shape of the achene.[4][5]
Coreopsis is a variable genus closely related to Bidens. In fact, neither Coreopsis nor Bidens, as defined in the 20th century, is strictly monophyletic. Coreopsis is best described as paraphyletic. Previously (1936), Coreopsis was classified into 11 sections and 114 species, but the African species were subsequently reclassified as Bidens, leaving the North and South American species, some 75–80 in all, under Coreopsis. 45 species are in the 11 North American sections, and the remaining 35 are in the South American section Pseudoagarista. The North American species fall into two broad groups, with 5 sections and 12 species in Mexico and North America and the remaining 5 sections and 26 species in Eastern North America.[4]
One group which does seem to be monophyletic consists of temperate species from North America, including five sections of Coreopsis, Bidens coronata and Bidens tripartita, and the genus Thelesperma (five species).[6]
One classification (GRIN) of the genus consists of eleven sections,[1] shown by cladistic relationships with number of species in parentheses.[4]
South America, 35 species
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North American Coreopsis can be found in two habitats in the wild, growing along roadsides and open fields throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. In this environment the plant will self-sow.
Coreopsis species are a source of nectar and pollen for insects.[3] The species is known to provide food to caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including Coleophora acamtopappi.
Coreopsis can grow in a garden as a border plant, or in a container, preferring well-drained soil. Deadheading the flowers ensures it does not become weedy. Using the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones will identify what soil and climate is preferred for different cultivars or species.[9] Notable species found in cultivation are C. grandiflora and C. verticillata, as well as their various cultivars.
The sunny, summer-blooming, daisy-like flowers are popularly planted in gardens to attract butterflies. Both annual and perennial types are grown in the home garden (USDA hardiness zone 7a/6b).[3] In the Mid-Atlantic region, insects such as bees, hover flies, and wasps are often observed visiting the flowers.[3]
All Coreopsis species were designated the state wildflower of the U.S. state of Florida in 1991.[10] In the language of flowers, Coreopsis means to be always cheerful, while Coreopsis arkansa in particular stands for love at first sight.[11]
