Coreopsis lanceolata
Garden coreopsis
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Coreopsis lanceolata (Garden coreopsis) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by (C. tinctoria). Clear differences in ray length, leaf division, and branching pattern.
Garden coreopsis is a naturalized perennial found in the Central Coast, southern California, and San Joaquin Valley in disturbed places at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces bright yellow ray flowers with yellow disk flowers in large heads 2 to 3 centimeters wide. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with erect stems that are occasionally branched, it emerges from a branched rootstock. Its leaves vary from simple oblanceolate forms to pinnate configurations with 3 to 7 linear to oblanceolate leaflets, arranged both basally and along the stem. The fruit is small, about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long with black, textured surfaces and a wide, thin wing.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (C. tinctoria). Clear differences in ray length, leaf division, and branching pattern.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places, escaped from cultivation
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to eastern United States
Bloom period
Coreopsis lanceolata blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Calendula: Opposite leaves vs. alternate leaves in pot marigold.; vs Tagetes: Two-layered bracts (leafy outer, thin inner) vs. fused tube of bracts in marigold.; vs Leptosyne: Opposite leaves vs. alternate or basal leaves in Leptosyne.; vs Gaillardia: Flat or no seed scales vs. bristle-tipped scales in Gaillardia.; vs Gazania: Opposite leaves and two-layered bracts vs. basal leaves only in treasure flower.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coreopsis lanceolata native to California?
No. Coreopsis lanceolata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Coreopsis lanceolata bloom?
Coreopsis lanceolata blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Coreopsis lanceolata belong to?
Coreopsis lanceolata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Coreopsis.
What habitat does Coreopsis lanceolata grow in?
Coreopsis lanceolata grows in Disturbed places, escaped from cultivation.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.