Coreopsis lanceolata

Similar to immature plants of Gaillardia aestivalis which has alternate leaves while the leaves of Coreopsis lanceolata are opposite. When flowering they can be distinguished by their disc flowers that are purple in G. aestivalis and yellow in Coreopsis. Coreopsis tripteris is also a coastal prairie species but is easily identified by its three to five palmately divided leaves on 2.5 cm petioles.

Easily grown from seed. Fresh seeds planted in the greenhouse during the fall had 90% germination. Seed germination improves with cold/moist stratification (Nichols 1934, Steffen 1997). Clumps may be divided in fall. Does well in cultivation. Seeds average approximately 400,000 seeds/lb.

Is of little value to livestock or game animals.

Roadsides, thickets, sandy woods, prairies, and waste places.