| Coreopsis gigantea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Coreopsis |
| Species: | C. gigantea |
| Binomial name | |
| Coreopsis gigantea | |
| Synonyms [2] [3] | |
| |
Coreopsis gigantea, known by 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]
The stem of Coreopsis gigantea is a trunk up to 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet) tall, and 4–10 centimetres (1+1⁄2–4 inches) in diameter. The plant can reach 3 m (10 ft) high by 0.61 m (2 ft) wide. [6] [7] 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, while the rest of the trunk is bare. The leaves are up to 30 cm (12 in) long. [7]
The numerous flowers are yellow, daisy-like, 6–20 cm (2+1⁄2–8 in) in diameter. It blooms from the spring to early summer. [6]
The related C. maritima is found in similar areas. [7]
The plant is found in California coastal sage and chaparral habitats, from 14–55 m (45–180 ft) in elevation. [2] [6] It is found in coastal dunes, chaparral hillsides, and exposed sea bluff habitats. [6]
It 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 cold tolerant to around 25 °F (−4 °C). [8] Storing water in this way makes the plants tolerant of drought but especially susceptible to frost.
Giant Coreopsis is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries. [6] [8] It is planted in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects. [8]
The plant needs good drainage and is not tolerant of excess moisture, needing minimal watering during the summer. [8] [9]
Dendromecon rigida, also called bush poppy or tree poppy, is a shrub or small tree of the Papaveraceae native to California and Baja California.
Juniperus californica, the California juniper, is a species of juniper native to southwestern North America.
Coastal sage scrub, also known as coastal scrub, CSS, or soft chaparral, is a low scrubland plant community of the California coastal sage and chaparral subecoregion, found in coastal California and northwestern coastal Baja California. It is within the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome.
Adenostoma fasciculatum, commonly known as chamise or greasewood, is a flowering plant native to California and Baja California. This shrub is one of the most widespread plants of the California chaparral ecoregion. Chamise produces a specialized lignotuber underground and at the base of the stem, known as a burl, that allow it to resprout after fire has off burned its stems. It is noted for its greasy, resinous foliage, and its status as one of California's most iconic chaparral shrubs.
Artemisia californica, also known as California sagebrush, is a species of western North American shrub in the sunflower family.
Rhus integrifolia, also known as lemonade sumac, lemonade berry, or lemonadeberry, is a shrub to small tree. It is native to the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the South Coast regions of Southern California. This extends from Santa Barbara County and the Channel Islands to San Diego County and extending into north-central Pacific coastal Baja California and its offshore islands such as Cedros Island.
Baccharis pilularis, called coyote brush, chaparral broom, and bush baccharis, is a shrub in the family Asteraceae native to California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja California. There are reports of isolated populations in New Mexico, most likely introduced.
Prunus ilicifolia is native to the chaparral areas of coastal California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. as well as the desert chaparral areas of the Mojave desert.
Coreopsis californica is a North American species of tickseed in the family Asteraceae.
Coreopsis bigelovii is a species of flowering plant in the daisy or sunflower family, Asteraceae, with the common names Bigelow coreopsis and Bigelow's tickseed. It is endemic to California.
Coreopsis maritima, the sea dahlia, is a species of tickseed in the sunflower family.
Coreopsis stillmanii is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Stillman's tickseed. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the Central Valley and most of the adjacent coastal and inland mountain ranges in California chaparral and woodlands habitats. It is found east of San Francisco Bay and on the eastern side of the Central Valley.
Ornithostaphylos is a monotypic plant genus which contains the single species Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia, commonly known as the Baja California birdbush or Baja California manzanita. A large, evergreen shrub in the heather family, this species is near-endemic to northwestern Baja California, with a small population just north of the border in San Ysidro, California. It produces a much-branched inflorescence of white, urn-shaped flowers, and has leathery leaves that appear opposite or in whorls. These characteristics separate it from its close relatives in the region, which include manzanitas (Arctostaphylos), summer holly (Comarostaphylis) and mission manzanita (Xylococcus).
Dudleya edulis is a species of perennial succulent plant known by the common names fingertips, lady fingers, mission lettuce and the San Diego dudleya. The common name denotes the finger-like shape of the leaves, while the specific epithet edulis refers to the use of the young scapes as food by the Kumeyaay. It is native to Southern California and northern Baja California, and grows on rocky hillsides, cliffs, and bare rock.
Ephedra californica is a species of Ephedra, known by the common names California jointfir, California ephedra, desert tea, Mormon tea, and cañatillo.
Eriogonum arborescens is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name Santa Cruz Island buckwheat.
Dendromecon harfordii, known by the common names Channel Islands tree poppy and Harford's tree poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family.
Arctostaphylos montaraensis, known by the common name Montara manzanita, is a species of manzanita in the family Ericaceae.
Xylococcus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the heather family which contains the single species Xylococcus bicolor, commonly known as the mission manzanita. It is a burl-forming, evergreen shrub to tree with leathery leaves and smooth dark reddish bark. From December to February, white to pink urn-shaped flowers adorn the foliage, often attracting hummingbird pollinators. It is native to southern California and the Baja California Peninsula, south to the Sierra de la Giganta. There is growing concern over the future of this plant, referred to as the "queen of the elfin forest, " as it may possibly lose up to 88% of its habitat and its wild seedlings are failing to survive more than a full year.
Nassella cernua is a species of grass known by the common name nodding needlegrass.
