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Native Plant Society of Texas

Texas Tickseed

Coreopsis gladiata

Other common name(s):

Coastal Plain Tickseed, Sickle Tickseed, Florida Tickseed

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
4
ft.

Spread

1.5
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Savanna, Wetland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Maintenance

Uncommon in the wild and commercially. May be found in specialty nurseries or NPSOT plant sales. Native habitat: wet pine savannas, wet pine flatwoods, sandhill seepage bogs,

Description

Blooms September-October. Erect, mounding, short-lived perennial. The small, tubular, maroon or brown disc flowers and rich-yellow ray flowers, which are notched at the ends. Lance-shaped leaves are numerous on lower parts of the plant, becoming much smaller and bract-like at the top. Fruit is a cypsela: dry, one-seeded often topped with fines hairs.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Coreopsis angustifolia, Coreopsis helianthoides, Coreopsis longifolia, Coreopsis longifolia var. godfreyi

References

1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COLI5, 2) https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon.php&plantname=coreopsis+gladiata 3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coreopsis_gladiata#:~:text=Coreopsis%20gladiata%2C%20the%20pool%20coreopsis,primarily%20to%20the%20coastal%20plain.&text=Campylotheca%20helianthoides%20Endl.&text=Coreopsis%20callosa%20Bertol.,Coreopsis%20dichotoma%20Michx.&text=Coreopsis%20floridana%20E.B.,Sm.&text=Core 4) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=2647&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 5) https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=37134#null 6) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Coreopsis+gladiata&formsubmit=Search+Terms 7) https://rachelsnativeplants.com/plants/coreopsis-gladiata/

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Fill seed trays or pots with a seed-starting mix and moisten the soil thoroughly. Sprinkle seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly press them in. Maintain a consistent temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) by covering with a clear plastic dome or using a heat mat. Once seedlings have established, thin them out to give each plant space to thrive. If you don’t sow directly in the garden in early spring, start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Don’t cover the seeds, as they need light for germination. As with all seed sowing, use a sowing medium such as one containing peat moss and perlite, keep warm (70 degrees F or so), and moist. Collect seeds from mature flower heads once they have dried and turned brown. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-coreopsis-gladiata/ 2) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/coreopsis-gladiata/#:~:text=Attributes:%20Genus:%20Coreopsis%20Species:,9a%2C%209b%2C%2010a%2C%2010b 3) https://www.americanmeadows.com/blogs/perennials/how-to-grow-coreopsis#:~:text=Propagation:%20Want%20more%20coreopsis?,or%20so)%2C%20and%20moist.
Clump Division Early spring or late summer are ideal times for division. Carefully dig up the plant and gently separate it into individual clumps. Each clump should have healthy roots and a few stems. Plant the divisions in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Give them a generous watering. Works best for plants that have established themselves well, typically after two or three years. Should have a minimum of several shoots or growing points per division. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-coreopsis-gladiata/ 2) https://www.americanmeadows.com/blogs/perennials/how-to-grow-coreopsis#:~:text=Propagation:%20Want%20more%20coreopsis?,or%20so)%2C%20and%20moist.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason