Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Coreopsis lanceolata L.
Common name(s):	tickseed

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

“Sandy, nutrient-poor soils in sand dune or oak savannah habitat [& low] soil moisture…Plant populations on nutrient-poor soils tend to be open, with bare gaps between plants…characteristic of C. lanceolata” In more fertile soils but can’t compete (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). Climate with cold winter (-22ºC annual extreme min.), cool wet spring, & warm summer (18.7ºC average temp.) Rain “throughout the year (900mm total p.a.)” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994b). Study “sites were classified as oak savannas & were characterised by sand prairie openings,...oak savannas & full canopy oak forest” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). On many soil types, prefers a well-drained soil (Whitten 2002). Weedy potential “in forested areas in coastal & sub-coastal districts” (Australian Weeds committee, N.D). “Moving down stormwater drains & watercourses into good bushland” (WBMB, N.D). Occurring naturally in glades” (Easy Wildflowers, N.D). “Rocky soil” (Enature 2007). “In open woodland & grassland” (Pittwater Council, N.D). Native in plains, meadows, pastures (LBJWC 2007).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Broadacre cropping; forestry; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Coastal; heathland; grassy/heathy dry forest; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box; chenopod shrubland; chenopod mallee; hummockgrass mallee; lowan mallee; broombush whipstick

Colours indicate possibility of Coreopsis lanceolata infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide, dies down after seeding until the following spring” (WBMB, No date). “Can grow thickly” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). May become a major impediment to access waterways or machinery. Significant works required to provide reasonable access, tracks closed or impassable if only at certain times of the year.	h	m
2. Reduce tourism?	“Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide, dies down after seeding until the following spring” (WBMB, No date). Some recreational uses affected.	mh	ml
3. Injurious to people?	“Clump forming perennial herb” (Whitten 2002). (Shepherd 2004; Cooper & Johnson 1984; Connor 1977; Forsyth 1968). No evidence to suggest that it is injurious.	l	m
4. Damage to cultural sites?	Yellow daisy flower to 6cm across (Spencer 2002). Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide” (WBMB, No date). “Can grow thickly” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). Moderate visual effect.	ml	m
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	“Sand dune or oak savannah habitat [& low] soil moisture” (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). “Dry sand prairies” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994b). Study “sites were classified as oak savannas & were characterised by sand prairie openings,...oak savannas & full canopy oak forest” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Grows on many soil types, prefers a well-drained soil (Whitten 2002). Weedy potential “in forested areas in coastal & sub-coastal districts” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Moving down stormwater drains & watercourses into good bushland” (WBMB, No date). “Occurring naturally in glades” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). “Rocky soil” (Enature 2007). “In open woodland & grassland” (Pittwater Council, No date). Native in plains, meadows, pastures (LBJWC 2007). Not known to be aquatic.	l	mh
6. Impact water quality?	“Sand dune or oak savannah habitat [& low] soil moisture” (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). “Dry sand prairies” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994b). Study “sites were classified as oak savannas & were characterised by sand prairie openings,...oak savannas & full canopy oak forest” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Grows on many soil types, prefers a well-drained soil (Whitten 2002). Weedy potential “in forested areas in coastal & sub-coastal districts” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Moving down stormwater drains & watercourses into good bushland” (WBMB, No date). “Occurring naturally in glades” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). “Rocky soil” (Enature 2007). “In open woodland & grassland” (Pittwater Council, No date). Native in plains, meadows, pastures (LBJWC 2007). Not known to be aquatic.	l	mh
7. Increase soil erosion?	Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide, dies down after seeding until the following spring” (WBMB, No date). May cause some soil erosion after dying down. Low probability of large scale soil movement.	l	ml
8. Reduce biomass?	No information found.	m	l
9. Change fire regime?	Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide, dies down after seeding until the following spring” (WBMB, No date). May increase amount of leaf litter by dying down each season possibly creating a minor change in the frequency or intensity of fire risk.	ml	ml
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Lowland Forest (V); CMA =West Gippsland; Bioregion =Strzelecki Ranges; VH CLIMATE potential. “Its dense clumping habit and rapid spread can crowd out native plants and seriously reduce the germination of native seed” (WBMB, No date). “Carpeting rural roadsides… forms interconnected root mats” (Pittwater Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). Major displacement of some sominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	mh	h
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Rocky Outcrop Shrubland (R); CMA = West Gippsland; Bioregion = Highlands- Southern Fall; VH CLIMATE potential. “Its dense clumping habit and rapid spread can crowd out native plants and seriously reduce the germination of native seed” (WBMB, No date). “Carpeting rural roadsides… forms interconnected root mats” (Pittwater Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). Major displacement of some sominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	mh	h
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Heathy Dry Forest (LC); CMA = East Gippsland; Bioregion = East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. “Its dense clumping habit and rapid spread can crowd out native plants and seriously reduce the germination of native seed” (WBMB, No date). “Carpeting rural roadsides… forms interconnected root mats” (Pittwater Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). Major displacement of some sominant spp. within a strata/layer (or some dominant spp. within different layers).	mh	h
11. Impact on structure?	“Its dense clumping habit and rapid spread can crowd out native plants and seriously reduce the germination of native seed” (WBMB, No date). “Carpeting rural roadsides… forms interconnected root mats” (Pittwater Council, No date) “Lance-leaf tickseed grows in small clumps but forms extensive colonies” (LBJWC 2007). May have a major effect on <60% of the flora structure.	mh	ml
12. Effect on threatened flora?	No reference to any VROT species.	mh	l
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	No reference to any VROT species.	mh	l
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	No information found.	m	l
15. Benefits fauna?	“Its seeds are a favourite food for goldfinches” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). “Nectar source: yes” (LBJWC 2007). “Usually perennial herb to 60cm tall” (Spencer 2002). “Clump forming perennial herb” (Whitten 2002). Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide” (WBMB, No date). May provide some assistance as a food and shelter source to desirable species.	mh	ml
16. Injurious to fauna?	No mention of being poisonous (Cooper & Johnson 1984; Connor 1977; Forsyth 1968). ). “Clump forming perennial herb” (Whitten 2002). No mention of burrs or spines. No effect.	l	l
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	“Its seeds are a favourite food for goldfinches” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). “Nectar source: yes” (LBJWC 2007). “Usually perennial herb to 60cm tall” (Spencer 2002). “Clump forming perennial herb” (Whitten 2002). May provide some assistance as a food source to pest animals.	ml	ml
18. Provides harbour?	“Usually perennial herb to 60cm tall” (Spencer 2002). “Clump forming perennial herb” (Whitten 2002). Forming dense clumps up to 1m high and wide” (WBMB, No date). Capacity to harbour rabbits or foxes at low densities or as overnight cover.	mh	m
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	“It is a weed of agriculture and wasteland in South Africa” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date). Could become a problem in agriculture particularly as it is spread by machinery but exact effect unknown.	m	l
20. Impact quality?	“It is a weed of agriculture and wasteland in South Africa” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date). Could become a problem in agriculture particularly as it is spread by machinery but exact effect unknown.	m	l
21. Affect land value?	“It is a weed of agriculture and wasteland in South Africa” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date). Could become a problem in agriculture particularly as it is spread by machinery but exact effect unknown.	m	l
22. Change land use?	“It is a weed of agriculture and wasteland in South Africa” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date). Could become a problem in agriculture particularly as it is spread by machinery but exact effect unknown.	m	l
23. Increase harvest costs?	“It is a weed of agriculture and wasteland in South Africa” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks” (Eurobodalla Shire Council, No date). Could become a problem in agriculture particularly as it is spread by machinery but exact effect unknown.	m	l
24. Disease host/vector?	No information was found.	m	l

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	“Seed germination should occur by fall” (Whitten 2002). “Germination percentage always decreased when seeds were given a cold period and increased slightly with long dark periods. Germination percentage was unaffected by freezing… Maximal germination percentage at intermediate temperature has been shown previously for C. lanceolata (15-20 C)” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994b). “Germination rates are high” (WBMB, No date). “Seeds germinate without pretreatment” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). Likely to require seasonal temperature disturbances.	mh	m
2. Establishment requirements?	“Full canopy oak forest” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). “Sandy, nutrient-poor soils in sand dune or oak savannah habitat [& low] soil moisture…Plant populations on nutrient-poor soils tend to be open, with bare gaps between plants…characteristic of C. lanceolata” Can grow in more fertile soils but can’t compete (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). Could establish without additional factors.	h	ml
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Moving down stormwater drains and watercourses into good bushland” (WBMB, No date). Can establish in healthy and undisturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. mallee, alpine, heathland).	h	m
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	“Long-lived rhizomatous perennial” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Rhizome= geophyte.	ml	h
5. Allelopathic properties?	No mention of allelopathic properties (Rice 1984, Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a&b, Folgate and Scheiner 1992).	l	l
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	“Deer resistant: None” (LBJWC 2007). Not enough information.	m	l
7. Normal growth rate?	“A fast growing perennial” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). Rapid growth rate that will exceed most other species of the same life form.	h	ml
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	“Located in fire-maintained oak savannas” (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). “Coreopsis species are quite drought tolerant” (ABC Gardening Australia 2009). “Tolerant of heat, humidity and drought… Crown rot may occur if grown in moist, poorly drained soils” (Missouri Botanic Garden home gardening help 2001-2009). “Potential to be weedy “in forested areas in coastal and sub-coastal districts” (Australian Weeds Committee, No date). “The climate is continental with a cold winter (-22 C annual extreme minimum)… Dry sand prairies” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994b). May be highly tolerant of drought, frost and fire. Possibly tolerant of salinity but susceptible to waterlogging.	mh	m
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	“Long-lived rhizomatous perennial” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Number of seeds per head= 96 ± 2.9 (Folgate & Scheiner 1992). Both vegetative and sexual reproduction.	h	h
10. Number of propagules produced?	Number of seeds per head= 96 ± 2.9 (Folgate &Scheiner 1992). Between 50-1,000.	ml	h
11. Propagule longevity?	“Maximal seed longevity in the seed bank, estimated from survival and viability in the 1^st 2yr, ranged from 2yr in small seeds to 13yr in large seeds, with 99% of all seeds surviving for less than a decade” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Lower viability but survive 10-20 years.	ml	h
12. Reproductive period?	It will bloom the second year after it is planted” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). “Annual or short-lived perennial (2-3 years)” (Chu 2005). “Long-lived rhizomatous perennial” (Banovetz & Scheiner 1994a). Information is too conflicting.	m	l
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	“It will bloom the second year after it is planted” (Easy Wildflowers, No date). 2-5 years to reach sexual maturity.	ml	ml
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	“Spreads by means of wind and water [and] by seed eating birds. [Know for] moving down stormwater drains and water courses into good bushland” (WBMB, No date). Bird dispersed seeds.	h	m
15. How far do they disperse?	“Spreads by means of wind and water [and] by seed eating birds. [Known for] moving down stormwater drains and water courses into good bushland” (WBMB, No date). Very likely that at least one propagule will disperse greater than one kilometre.	h	m

References

ABC Gardening Australia (2009) Plant Profile: Coreopsis. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866680.htm (verified 11 March 2009).

Australian Weeds Committee (No date) Weed Identification- Coreopsis. Available at: http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=E13 (verified 11 March 2009).

Banovetz S.J. Scheiner S.M. (1994a) The Effects of Seed Mass on the Seed Ecology of Coreopsis lanceolata. American Midland Naturalist. 131:1 p65-74.

Banovetz S.J. Scheiner S.M. (1994b) Secondary Seed Dormancy in Coreopsis lanceolata. American Midland Naturalist. 131:1 p75-83.

Chu J. (International Environmental Weed Foundation) (2005) Factsheet- Coreopsis lanceolata. Available at: http://www.iewf.org/weedid/Coreopsis_lanceolata.htm (verified 11 March 2009).

Connor HE. (1977) The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. E.C. Keating, Government Printer. Wellington.

Cooper MR and Johnson AW. (1984) Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. London.

Easy Wild Flowers (No date) Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf coreopsis Tickseed coreopsis Seed & Potted Plants. Available at: http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/cor.lanc.htm (verified 11 March 2009).

Enature (2007) Lanceleaf Coreopsis. Available at: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=WF0035 (verified 11 March 2009).

Eurobodalla Shire Council (No date) Coreopsis. Available at: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/weeds/Sheets/herbs/H%20Coreopsis.htm (verified 11 March 2009).

Folgate L.A. Scheiner S.M. (1992) Distribution of a Restricted Locally Abundant Species: Effects of competition and Nutrients on Coreopsis laceolata. American Midland Naturalist. 128:2.

Forsyth AA. (1968) British Poisonous Plants. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. London. Lady Bird Jouhnson Wildflower Center (2007) Coreopsis lanceolata L. Available at: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COLA5 (verified 11 March 2009).

Missouri Botanical Garden (2001-2009) Coreopsis lanceolata. Available at: http://www.mobot.org/GARDENINGHELP/PLANTFINDER/Plant.asp?Code=J880 (verified 11 March 2009).

Murray L. (1999-2009) Coreopsis lanceolata L. Available at: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Coreopsis~lanceolata (verified 11 March 2009).

Pittwater Council (No date) Coreopsis. Available at: http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/noxious_weeds/herbs/coreopsis (verified 11 March 2009).

Rice EL. (1984) Allelopathy. Academic Press, Inc. Orlando.

Shepherd RCH. (2004) Pretty But Poisonous. Plants Poisonous to People, An Illustrated Guide for Australia. RG & FJ Richardson. Meredith

Spencer R. (2002) Horticultural flora of South Eastern Australia. Vol 4. University of NSW Press, Sydney.

Weeds of the Blue Mountains Bushland (WBMB) (No date) Coreopsis- bush invader. Available at: http://www.weedsbluemountains.org.au/coreopsis.asp (verified 11 March 2009).

Whitten J.L. (2002) Plant Fact Sheet: Lance-leaf coreopsis. Available at: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_cola5.pdf (verified 11 March 2009).

Global present distribution data references

Australian National Herbarium (ANH) (2008) Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, Available at http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/ (verified 26 March 2009).

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 31 March 2009).

Feedback

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment?
If so, we would value your contribution. Click on the link to go to the feedback form.

Page top