Broadleaf tickseed is a clump-forming perennial wildflower in the aster family native to the southern Appalachians of GA, NC, SC and TN in moist rich woodland areas of middle to lower elevation. The plant can grow to 4 feet tall and has oval leaves up to 8 inches long. The yellow flower heads grow in corymbs and bloom from July to Sept. The plant can spread by rhizomes and is pollinated by bees. Use this plant in a woodland setting at the edges or the interior forests in naturalized areas.
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are opposite, broadly oval with pointed tips and tapering bases. Upperside smooth and a few hairs on the lower surface. Margins are toothed. They are 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The 1.5-inch wide flower heads have 5 ray petals and yellow center disc florets with black anthers extending well above the lobes. They bloom July- Sept.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Flattened and ribbed achenes. Displays from August to October
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Smooth thin green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeast USA
Distribution
GA, NC, SC, TN
Wildlife value
Attracts bees to the flowers and birds eat the seeds