The garden favorite Coreopsis, a genus of flowering plants native primarily to the Americas, is widely known by the common name “tickseed.” Belonging to the Asteraceae family alongside daisies and sunflowers, the plant is valued for its bright, cheerful, and long-lasting blooms. The unusual common name points to an unflattering resemblance rather than the plant’s ornamental qualities. The origin of “tickseed” directly references the plant’s reproductive structures, a detail mirrored in its formal scientific nomenclature.
The Physical Resemblance That Led to the Common Name
The name “tickseed” stems from the striking visual similarity between the plant’s mature, dry fruit and the small parasitic arachnid. The seeds, or achenes, of many Coreopsis species are small, dark brown or black, and oval-shaped. These characteristics create a strong resemblance to the body of a tick, particularly an engorged one.
The flat fruits often possess tiny, bristly projections or barbs on their sides, which early observers thought resembled the legs of an insect. This visual comparison was reinforced because the seeds easily cling to clothing, animal fur, or feathers for dispersal. This clinging quality mimics the way a tick attaches itself to a host, solidifying the association.
The dark, dry appearance of the seeds after the petals fade makes the comparison obvious. This common moniker serves as a reminder of the historical practice of naming plants based on recognizable physical traits. Importantly, the common name is purely descriptive of the seed’s shape, and the plant does not attract ticks.
Decoding the Botanical Name Coreopsis
The scientific name for the genus, Coreopsis, provides an authoritative layer to the common name’s origin. The term is a compound word derived from two Greek words that translate to the same descriptive meaning. The first component, koris, is the Greek word for a “bug” or “bedbug.”
The second part of the genus name is opsis, which translates to “view” or “resembling.” Therefore, the botanical name Coreopsis literally means “bug-like” or “resembling a bug.” This demonstrates that the resemblance was recognized by botanists centuries ago when the plant was formally named.
The fact that both the common name, “tickseed,” and the scientific genus name convey the same meaning confirms the distinctive nature of the plant’s seed structure. This dual naming convention shows consistency in observation across both folk and scientific traditions. The scientific nomenclature is a formal acknowledgment of the seed’s insect-like appearance.
Common Uses and Varieties of Tickseed
Beyond the distinct seed structure, Coreopsis is prized by gardeners for its easy-to-grow nature and prolific flowering. The plant produces cheerful, daisy-like blossoms, typically appearing in shades of yellow and gold, though modern breeding has introduced pinks and reds. These flowers provide color throughout the summer, often blooming until the first frost.
The plant’s hardiness makes it a favorite in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. Popular varieties like ‘Moonbeam’ and ‘Zagreb’ are known for their fine, thread-like foliage and abundant yellow flowers. Other common species include Coreopsis grandiflora (large-flowered tickseed) and Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf coreopsis), valued for their adaptability and drought tolerance.