The Coreopsis Forest is a stand of giant coreopsis, or tree sunflower, on Anacapa Island. For a few weeks each March and April its bare trunks fill with green foliage and yellow blooms before going dormant for the rest of the year.
Details
- Type
- Point of Interest
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
Giant coreopsis grows as tall, woody trunks that look lifeless for most of the year. The plant survives Anacapa's dry season, which lasts nine to ten months, by going dormant; its brittle stems break easily during this period. Anacapa's isolation and the absence of large animals that might trample the plants help the stand persist.
What to See
The bloom comes in March and April, when the trunks are covered in bright green leaves and yellow flowers. Native plants growing in association with the coreopsis include island morning glory, gumplant, Indian pink, and golden yarrow. The 2010s California drought killed or toppled much of the islands' coreopsis, and recovery depends on adequate rainfall for new seedlings.