Florida State Wild Flower

Coreopsis

Coreopsis spp. L. (Tickseed)

Adopted in 1991

The flower of the genus Coreopsis was designated as Florida's official wildflower. The state legislature made this designation after the colorful flowers were used extensively in Florida's roadside plantings and highway beautification programs. The coreopsis is found in a variety of colors, ranging from golden to pink.

2000 Florida Statutes, Chapter 15
15.0345 Official state wildflower.--The Coreopsis is hereby designated and declared the official Florida state wildflower, as species of this genus are found throughout the state and are used extensively in roadside plantings and highway beautification.
History.--s. 1, ch. 91-10.

Description

Lanceleaf coreopsis has grass green foliage, with most of the leaves concentrated at the base of the plant, giving it a clumped appearance. Clumps of the Florida ecotype* (plants that occur here naturally and are adapted to Florida conditions) are about 6-8 inches tall. Foliage and clump size of the common garden variety are about two to three times greater than in the Florida ecotype.

Flowers are yellow and about 1 inch in diameter. The Florida ecotype will flower in late spring if it is directly seeded in the winter or previous autumn. However, flowering of the common garden variety is sporadic at best the first year after it is seeded, although its flowers are two to three times larger than the Florida ecotype. Mature plants of the Florida ecotype or the common garden variety that overwinter may start flowering in April. Best flowering occurs until August but plants will continue to flower well into autumn. Plants rebloom well if faded flowers are removed.