Coreopsis gigantea
| Coreopsis gigantea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | C. gigantea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Coreopsis gigantea | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
| |
Coreopsis gigantea with the common name giant coreopsis, is a woody perennial plant native to coastal regions of central and southern California and also to northern Baja California.[2][4][5]
Distribution
The plant is found in habitats on the California coastal sage and chaparral, from 45–180 feet (14–55 m) in elevation.[2][6] It is also found growing in coastal dunes, chaparral hillsides, and exposed sea bluff habitats.[6]
Coreopsis gigantea is distributed on the coasts of: Southern California and the Channel Islands; the Central Coast region; San Francisco Bay Area; and 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 tolerant to a cold temperature of around 25 degrees F.[7] Storing water in this way makes the plants tolerant to drought but especially susceptible to frost.
Description
The stem of Coreopsis gigantea is a trunk measuring 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) in height by 2 feet (0.61 m)in width.[6] It is summer deciduous, leaving a sculptural bare trunk and branches during the dry season.
Flowers with bright green leaves grow on the top of the trunk, while the rest of the trunk is bare.
Coreopsis gigantean flowers are yellow, daisy-like, 6–20 cm in diameter and they bloom in the spring and early summer.[6]
Cultivation
Giant Coreopsis is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialized nurseries.[6][7] It is planted in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.[7]
The plant though drought tolerant, needs good drainage and is not tolerant to excess moisture, and needs minimal watering during the summer.[7][8]
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 Archived 2006-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Jepson eFlora: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ^ The Plant List, Coreopsis gigantea (Kellogg) H.M.Hall
- ^ United States Department of Agriculture plants profile: Coreopsis gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ^ Calflora taxon report, University of California: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015
- ^ a b c d e Theodore Payne Foundation California Natives Wiki: Coreopsis gigantea (Giant Coreopsis)
- ^ a b c d 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)
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile for Coreopsis gigantea (giant coreopsis)
- Leptosyne gigantea (Coreopsis gigantea) — Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California
- Coreopsis
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Flora of Mexican Pacific Islands
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Plants described in 1873
- Garden plants of North America
- Drought-tolerant plants