Edge/ Lance-leaved Coreopsis

COMMON NAME: Lance-Leaved Coreopsis

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Lady’s Breast Pin, Old Maid’s Breast Pin

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Coreopsis lanceolata

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 8 to 32 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to mid June

FRUITING TIME: Late June to August

DISTRIBUTION: Lake Superior to Florida ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Branching stems, leafy below ~ Yellow flowers, to 1 inch in diameter ~ Leaves elongated, linear or lance shaped, hairless

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. The common name “Coreopsis” is Latin for “having beautiful eyes”, and describes the flowers reddish central disk.  The species name, lanceolate, refers to the shape of the leaves. In the past the Coreopsis was used to prepare dyes and today is used as an ornamental.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.