The swamp tickseed is a native perennial in the daisy or sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is a native, but rare plant in North Carolina to NE Florida. It grows in swamp forests, wet loamy pine savannas, and swamp edges in its native habitat. The common name, Tickseed, is based on the seed appearance which has two short spines at one oval end and looks like a ‘tick’. Swamp tickseed can grow in various soils, but prefers moist well-drained soils and full sun. It can also tolerate flooding. The plant will grow up to 30” and should be planted 2’ – 3’ apart. It spreads slowly by self-seeding and rhizomes. The swamp Ttckseed is a valuable late-blooming yellow daisy-like wildflower for pollinators. The native plant is prone to powdery mildew which can result in defoliation by September. However, the ‘Summer Sunshine’ cultivar has disease-resistant foliage and is widely available commercially. It is easy to grow the showy ‘Summer Sunshine’ cultivar which can bloom up to six weeks. The swamp tickseed can be grown in containers and borders. Plant it in a pollinator, native, or cutting garden where the soil is moist. It can also be planted along a water source or rain garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Powdery mildew, leaf spot
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The dark green foliage is shiny and showy.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
This is a fall blooming Coreopsis. The blooms last up to 6 weeks between September and November. The yellow daisy-like flower has a dark brown center of disc flowers
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is a cypsela, but usually is referred to incorrectly as an achene. It has two short spikes on one end.