Nueces coreopsis

In case this morning’s wildflower mixture left you wanting a closer look at the Nueces coreopsis, Coreopsis nuecensis, here’s your shot at one, via my shot of several.

Another name for coreopsis is tickseed, based on the appearance of the seed capsules in this genus. The dark red markings on the flower heads of this species have given it the alternate name crown tickseed. The Nueces, by the way, is a river in Texas; the word is Spanish for ‘walnuts.’

© 2012 Steven Schwartzman

Another Texas wildflower mixture

Click for greater clarity and better color.

We’re not done yet with mixtures of spring wildflowers. The yellow flower making its first appearance in these pages is the Nueces coreopsis, Coreopsis nuecensis, which doesn’t grow in Austin but is found not far to the south and southeast. By now you probably recognize the Indian paintbrushes, firewheels (also called Indian blankets), bluebonnets, and phlox mixed in among the coreopsis. This is yet another picture from our almost-300-mile grand tour of wildflowers south of Austin on March 31.

© 2012 Steven Schwartzman