TICKSEED ( Coreopsis ) 

 Coreopsis lanceolata L. 



June- August 'I'hf ( '(»ic(>ii>i> lldwci-s are iihuiis of the prairie, sun 



Prairie roadsides phiiits u hieh soak up the frrowiiijj heat, of the sun- 

 shine from .lime ahnost all the way thi-ouirh the 

 Tlliuois sumnicr. 



'riie lh)\\('i-> have a (piality nt xiiil illatiii<i- hrilliaiu-e which one linds 

 in the hright hhisscaus of i»iittfr(U|is and sneezewoeds ( Heloniums). There 

 is a sheen of ^f(>hl overhiid with sun-spa rkh'. 'I'hc Mowers are sliglitly 

 cupped, n iroldeu renter surroundetl l)y ]ietal-like rays wliich are deejtly 

 toothed in ornamental fashion. The eaiv.x is hrassv iirecu-irold. very 

 smooth and glossy, the stem shiny, the knii:- narrow .leeply cut leaves 

 bright green and slightly hairy. 



This is th(> Coicopsis which has become a member of the garden 

 society. Perhaps, as in the ca.<e of many other plants, this cultivation of 

 a prairie plant t(K)k place after the .'^eeds wove .<ent to l*>ngland by early 

 plant explorers, developed i^oniewhat. and weic sent hack as something 

 new and fine and exclusive, to be planted once moic in tlie soil of 

 Amenca. 



There are many tickseeds native to Illinois, hut of them all. only 

 C. lanceolata seems to be cultivated. The others vary from showiness 

 equal to C. IntirroJatn. to lank weediness and small llowers. 



The palmate ticksced (Coreopsis imlmnin) grows on the open prairie 

 and in low places. The stiff ])lants bear one, seldom more, bright yellow, 

 flat blossoms. The leaves arc deeply and ])almately lobed, dark gi'een, 

 opposite on the stiff stem. 



18G 



