Annuals, (10-)30-70(-150+) cm. Leaves: proximal blades usually 1(-2)-pinnate, terminal lobes ± elliptic or oblanceolate to lanceolate or linear, 15-30+ × 4-8(-12+) mm; cauline blades simple or 1(-3)-pinnate, simple blades or terminal lobes narrowly oblanceolate to linear, 8-35(-70+) × 1-3(-5) mm. Peduncles 2-5(-8) cm. Calyculi of deltate-ovate to oblong or linear bractlets 2-6+ mm. Phyllaries ± lance-oblong to lanceolate, (4-)5-9 mm. Ray laminae usually yellow throughout, rarely with proximal red-brown blotch, 8-15+ mm. Disc corollas 2.2-3.5 mm. Cypselae 2-3 mm, wings 0.2-0.8+ mm wide; pappi of 2 subulate scales (0.2-)0.4-1(-1.4+) mm. 2n = 24 (+ 0-2 Bs).

Flowering year round, mostly May-Jul. Moist, sandy soils, flatwoods, ditches; 0-20+ m; Fla.

Plants here (and generally) treated as Coreopsis leavenworthii probably should be included within the circumscription adopted here for C. tinctoria.