Dyer’s tickseed is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) with a native range from Canada to eastern Mexico. The bright yellow and maroon flowers can be used to produce red and brown dyes. Traditionally, the Zuni people in North America used the flowers to a make a mahogany red dye for colouring yarn. Two closely related plants, Cosmos sulphureus and Dahlia pinnata, are believed to have been used by the Aztecs in Mexico and have similar dye properties to Coreopsis.