Leptosyne gigantea
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Leptosyne gigantea, known by the common name giant coreopsis, is a woody perennial plant native to coastal regions of central and southern California and also to northern Baja California.<ref name=jepsoneflora>Jepson eFlora: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015</ref><ref>United States Department of Agriculture plants profile: Coreopsis gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015</ref><ref>Calflora taxon report, University of California: Leptosyne gigantea . accessed 2.28.2015</ref>
DescriptionEdit
The stem of Leptosyne gigantea is a trunk up to Template:Convert tall, and Template:Convert in diameter. The plant can reach Template:Convert high by Template:Convert wide.<ref name="theodorepayne">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> It is summer deciduous, leaving a sculptural bare trunk and branches during the dry season.
Bright green leaves and flowers are on the top of the trunk, while the rest of the trunk is bare. The leaves are up to Template:Convert long.<ref name=":0" />
The numerous flowers are yellow, daisy-like, Template:Convert in diameter. It blooms from the spring to early summer.<ref name="theodorepayne" />
The related L. maritima is found in similar areas.<ref name=":0" />
Distribution and habitatEdit
The plant is found in California coastal sage and chaparral habitats, from Template:Convert in elevation.<ref name="jepsoneflora" /><ref name="theodorepayne" /> It is found in coastal dunes, chaparral hillsides, and exposed sea bluff habitats.<ref name="theodorepayne" />
It is distributed on the coasts of: Southern California and the Channel Islands; the Central Coast region; San Francisco Bay Area; and in Mexico on the northwestern Baja California Peninsula and Guadalupe Island.<ref name="jepsoneflora" />
It is restricted to nearly frost-free habitats because its stem is succulent, being cold tolerant to around Template:Convert.<ref name="laspilitas">Las Pilitas Horticulture Database: Coreopsis gigantea, Giant Coreopsis</ref> Storing water in this way makes the plants tolerant of drought but especially susceptible to frost.
CultivationEdit
Giant Coreopsis is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries.<ref name=theodorepayne /><ref name=laspilitas/> It is planted in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.<ref name=laspilitas/>
The plant needs good drainage and is not tolerant of excess moisture, needing minimal watering during the summer.<ref name=laspilitas/><ref>San Marcos Growers database: Coreopsis gigantea</ref>