Douglas' Tickseed

Leptosyne douglasii

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Leptosyne
Species:
Leptosyne douglasii
USDA Symbol:
CODO2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
30 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Xanthothrix ranunculi

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
As a California annual adapted to grasslands and open areas, it recolonizes readily after fire from seed bank.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to arid regions, prefers open, sunny habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with moisture; typically germinates in spring following winter rains in native habitat.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI