Perennials, 20-70(-90+) cm. Aerial nodes proximal to first peduncle usually (5-)6-12+, distalmost 1-3 internodes 4-6(-10+) cm. Leaves: mostly cauline on proximal 2/3-7/8 of plant heights; petioles 2-10(-25+) mm; blades usually simple, rarely with 1-2(-3+) lateral lobes, simple blades or terminal lobes lance-elliptic to oblanceolate or lanceolate, 15-60(-80) × 2-25(-35) mm. Peduncles (7-)12-15+ cm. Calyculi of lanceolate to lance-linear bractlets 3-7 mm. Phyllaries lance-ovate to lanceolate, 5-8+ mm. Ray laminae yellow, 12-15+ mm. Disc corollas 4.6-5.4 mm, apices yellow. Cypselae 2.5-3 mm, wings ± spreading, ± chartaceous, entire. 2n = 26 (+ 0-2B). Flowering (Apr-)Jun-Aug(-Sep). Sandy soils, granite outcrops, open pine-oak woods, ditches and roadsides, other disturbed sites; 30-1000+ m; Ala., Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ill., Kans., Ky., La., Mass., Miss., Mo., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., W.Va. Bushy to wiry, nearly glabrous plants with leaf blades mostly simple, mostly oblanceolate, and 2-15+ mm wide and with relatively small heads, florets, and fruits from coastal Mississippi and included here in Coreopsis pubescens may merit recognition as C. debilis Sherff or C. pubescens var. debilis.
