Coreopsis gigantea
| Coreopsis gigantea ( Leptosyne gigantea ) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Coreopsis |
| Species: | C. gigantea |
| Binomial name | |
| Coreopsis gigantea (Kellogg) H.M. Hall [1] | |
| Synonyms | |
Coreopsis gigantea, reclassified as Leptosyne gigantea,[2][3] with the common name Giant Coreopsis, is a woody perennial plant native to coastal California and Baja California.[4]
Distribution
The plant is found in California coastal sage and chaparral habitats, from 45–180 feet (14–55 m) in elevation.[2][5] It is found in coastal dunes, chaparral hillsides, and exposed sea bluff habitats.[5]
It is distributed on the coasts of: Southern California and the Channel Islands; the Central Coast region; San Francisco Bay Area; and in in Mexico on the northwestern Baja California Peninsula and Guadalupe Island.[2]
It is restricted to nearly frost-free habitats because its stem is succulent, being cold tolerant to around 25 degrees F.[6] Storing water in this way makes the plants tolerant to drought but especially susceptible to frost.
Description
The stem of Coreopsis/Leptosyne gigantea is a trunk up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, and 4–10 centimetres (1.6–3.9 in) in diameter. The plant can reach 4 feet (1.2 m) high by 2 feet (0.61 m) wide.[5] It is summer deciduous, leaving a sculptural bare trunk and branches during the dry season.
Bright green leaves and flowers are on the top of the trunk, the rest of the trunk is bare.
The numerous flowers are yellow, daisy-like, 6–20 cm in diameter. It blooms in the spring and early summer.[5]
Cultivation
Giant Coreopsis is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries.[5][6] It is planted in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.[6]
The plant is very drought tolerant, needs good drainage and is not tolerant of excess moisture, and needs minimal watering during the summer.[6][7]
See also
- California coastal sage and chaparral — a sub-ecoregion of the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion.
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
References
- ↑ ITIS 37133
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Jepson eFlora: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ↑ Calflora: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ↑ USDA: Coreopsis gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Theodore Payne Foundation California Natives Wiki: Coreopsis gigantea (Giant Coreopsis)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Las Pilitas Horticulture Database: Coreopsis gigantea, Giant Coreopsis
- ↑ San Marcos Growers database: Coreopsis gigantea
Further reading
- San Francisco Chronicle: "Coreopsis is supersize on the Channel Islands" — Sullivan, R. & J. Eaton; October 8, 2008.
External links
- UC— Jepson Manual treatment for Leptosyne gigantea (Coreopsis gigantea)
- Calflora: Leptosyne gigantea (Giant coreopsis)
- USDA Plants Profile for Coreopsis gigantea (giant coreopsis)
- Leptosyne gigantea (Coreopsis gigantea) — U.C. Photo gallery
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