Chipola coreopsis - Coreopsis integrifolia

Chipola coreopsis (Coreopsis integrifolia) is quite rare in Florida, listed as a state endangered species and vouchered only from 5 counties - all along the Georgia border.  The primary distribution is along the Chipola River in Jackson, Calhoun, and Washington Counties in the central panhandle.  This species is rare elsewhere in its national distribution.  It is listed as a state threatened species in Georgia, where it is found in only four counties near the Florida border, and it is considered an "at risk species" in South Carolina where it is known from only a few southern counties.  In all its natural populations, it occurs in floodplain wetlands, along blackwater streams, where it receives dappled shade and plenty of moisture.
Florida is home to 15 species of coreopsis (tickseeds) and they can sometimes be a bit tricky to differentiate.  Chipola coreopsis is a perennial that dies back to the ground each winter.  In spring, it forms basal rosettes that can spread in all directions by underground rhizomes.  The stems eventually reach a mature height of about 2 feet by late summer.  As the plants spread, multiple flower stalks are common.  They have few branches, but each is topped by a single flower comprised of bright yellow ray petals and a dark central disk.  The flowers are about 18 inches across and each ray petal has three teeth at their outer margin.  Flowering only occurs in late summer to fall.
The foliage is distinctive.  The 1-3 inch long somewhat succulent leaves are opposite each other on the stem, the leaves occur along the entire length of the stem, and they are oval in shape and without teeth along the margins.  As the Latin name implies, the leaf margins are simple.
Chipola coreopsis is quite rare, but is infrequently offered by native plant nurseries.  I have not found it to be an easy species to maintain in the home landscape. It is fussy about its growing conditions. Do not attempt it unless you can give it dependably moist soils and filtered sun.  Under such conditions, it is an attractive fall wildflower that can form stunning masses of color.