Florida's State Wildflower: Coreopsis

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In today’s episode we’re talking about Florida’s state wildflower, coreopsis. We will discuss how this came to be our state wildflower, the different species of coreopsis and where they can be found, and of course, how we can help support coreopsis and wildflower efforts around the state.

Learn More:

• Coreopsis spp. Tickseed, Coreopsis: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP143
• Leavenworth’s tickseed - https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-coreopsis-leavenworthiii/
• Coreopsis - https://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/native-plant-profiles/coreopsis/

How You Can Help:

• Consider planting some site-appropriate coreopsis in your yard. Sow your seeds Oct-January. Plant in a sunny spot and plant the seeds no more than one-eighth of an inch deep.
• Purchase a State Wildflower License Plate. Each sale or renewal of the plate includes a $15 donation that supports wildflower education, research and planting throughout Florida.

• Advocate for more wildflower roadsides or public spaces that are low-mow areas. A great foundation for this is Bee City USA. Bee City USA is a national certification program that encourages cities, towns, and counties to protect and conserve native pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Sources:

• Atlas of Florida Plants – Coreopsis: https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/genus/356
• American Society for Horticultural Science – Evaluation of Native and Nonnative Ornamentals as Pollinator Plants in Florida: I. Florida Abundance and Insect Visitation: https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/57/1/article-p126.xml
• Establishment of Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) on Roadside Right-of-Ways: https://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/native-plant-profiles/coreopsis/