Lobed tickseed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lobed tickseed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Coreopsis
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| Species: |
auriculata
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| Synonyms | |
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Cymbaecarpa auriculata (L.) Cav. |
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The Lobed Tickseed or Mouse-ear Tickseed (scientific name: Coreopsis auriculata) is a pretty plant found in North America. It's part of the sunflower family, just like the big sunflowers you know! This plant grows naturally in the southeastern and central parts of the United States. You can find it from Louisiana all the way to the Florida Panhandle, and even up north in places like Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia.
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About the Lobed Tickseed Plant
The Lobed Tickseed is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It usually grows to be about 10 to 30 centimeters (4-12 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 60 centimeters (24 inches)!
What Does it Look Like?
This plant has bright yellow flower heads that look like small sunflowers. They bloom in the spring and early summer. The flowers grow on long stems called peduncles. Each flower head has yellow "petals" called ray florets. The center of the flower has tiny disc florets, also with yellow tips.
The leaves of the Lobed Tickseed are interesting. Some leaves grow from the base of the plant. Others grow along the stem. They can be simple, oval-shaped, or sometimes have one or two small lobes on the sides.
How Does it Grow?
Lobed Tickseed plants often spread out. They do this using short underground stems called stolons. These stolons help the plant form new plants nearby. This way, they can create large groups or "colonies" of plants. After the flowers bloom, the plant produces small, dark brown seeds. These seeds are found in tiny fruits called cypselae.
Where to Find Lobed Tickseed
You can often spot Lobed Tickseed growing along roadsides. It also likes to grow in open areas within forests. These forests usually have a mix of hardwood trees and pine barrens. The plant especially likes soils that contain calcium, which are called calcareous soils.
Lobed Tickseed in Gardens
A special type of Lobed Tickseed, called Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana', is very popular. People often plant it in their gardens. It's used as a blooming ground cover. This means it spreads out and covers the ground with its pretty yellow flowers.
Past Uses of the Plant
In the past, people used the flowers and stems of the Lobed Tickseed. They would extract a special dye from them. This dye could be orange or a reddish-orange color. It was likely used to color fabrics or other materials.
