Lanceleaf tickseed flower

Lanceleaf tickseed

Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata ) has conspicuously sunny flowers that typically bloom in spring. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators, and its seeds are eaten by birds and small wildlife.

Swamp tickseed

Swamp tickseed

Swamp tickseed (Coreopsis nudata) blooms in spring and is attractive to bees, although butterflies and other pollinators are known to visit them. Birds eat its seeds.

Our first 25 years

Our First 25 Years Florida’s first Coreopsis State Wildflower specialty license plate, WFL 001, was pre-purchased by Gary Henry of Tallahassee in May 2000. Other prominent native wildflower enthusiasts, including Elizabeth Pate, Marion Hilliard, Carolyn Schaag, Laura Mock, Anne MacKay, Frank Walper, Willson McBurney and Jeff Norcini, followed Gary’s lead and pre-purchased their own WFL…

Dr. Walter Taylor with a Florida scrubjay on shoulder

Dr. Walter Taylor receives 2018 Coreopsis Award

Dr. Walter K. Taylor, University of Central Florida professor emeritus of biology, has received the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s T. Elizabeth Pate Coreopsis Award for his lifetime of contributions to La Florida, “land of flowers.”

Florida’s spring-flowering tickseeds

Florida’s spring-flowering tickseeds

In the spring, many Florida roadsides and natural areas are painted yellow with showy Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed. Florida’s state wildflower, five of our 12 native species bloom in spring.

A cluster of vibrant yellow helianthus floridanus blooms with dark centers stands out against a blurred green background, creating a beautiful contrast that showcases the delicate petals and natural beauty of these stunning flowers.

Family Profile: Asteraceae

Asteraceae is the largest family of flowering plants with over 30,000 recognized species worldwide. Some of its most recognizable members include tickseeds (Coreopsis), our state wildflower, sunflowers (Helianthus) and asters (Symphyotrichum).

Native Roadside Wildflowers in Rural Areas: Developing Best Management Practices for Establishment of Plantings by Seed and Enhancement of Naturally-Occurring Populations 

The main goal of this study was to determine the effects of competition and mowing on native wildflower establishment on road-side right-of-ways (ROWs) dominated by bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum). The species were Flordia ecotypes of Coreopsis lanceolata, C. leavenworthii, Gaillardia puchella, and Ipomopsis rubra. Bahiagrass competition was the main factor limiting establishment of wildflowers under simulated…

FDOT Wildflower Program Photos

Florida Department of Transportation Wildflower Program This page is hosted by the Florida Wildflower Foundation as a courtesy to the Florida Department of Transportation. Photo Gallery The photos on this page highlight the successes of the Florida Department of Transportation Wildflower Program over the past 25 years. Due to construction activities, necessary re-working of roadsides…