''Gaillardia aristata'' is a North American species of flowering plant in the sunflower family, known by the common names common blanketflower and common gaillardia. This perennial wildflower is widespread across much of North America, from

Yukon Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...

east to Québec and south as far as

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...

, and

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its capita ...

, although it may be naturalized rather than native in parts of that range.Calflora taxon report, University of California, ''Gaillardia aristata'' Pursh, Blanketflower, common Indian blanket, common gaillardia
/ref> It is also naturalized in scattered locations in Europe, Australia, and South America.

Description

Kokardenblume Gaillardia aristata stack28 20190721-RM-7210879

''Gaillardia aristata'' grows in many habitats such as plains, prairies, and meadows. It is a perennial herb reaching maximum heights of anywhere between . It has lance-shaped leaves near the base and several erect, naked stems holding the flowers. Each

flower head A pseudanthium (Greek for "false flower"; ) is an inflorescence that resembles a flower. The word is sometimes used for other structures that are neither a true flower nor a true inflorescence. Examples of pseudanthia include flower heads, compos ...

has a center of about 12 brownish or reddish purple disc florets and a fringe of ray florets which are about long and yellow to reddish with dark bases. Flowers bloom July to September. The fruit is a stout, hairy achene which may be over long including the long, spiky pappus.

Uses

Some

Plateau Indian Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau, also referred to by the phrase Indigenous peoples of the Plateau, and historically called the Plateau Indians (though comprising many groups) are indigenous peoples of the Interior of British Columbia ...

tribes used blanketflower to treat wounds and settle

fever Fever, also referred to as pyrexia, is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set point. There is not a single agreed-upon upper limit for normal temperature with sources using val ...

s. ''Gaillardia aristata'' is a widely cultivated

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...

, used as a perennial garden flower.

References

External links

*
Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California

United States Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service, Plant of the Week, Blanketflower ''(Gaillardia aristata)''

Minnesota Wildflowers, ''Gaillardia aristata'' (Blanketflower)
aristata Flora of Canada Flora of the United States Flora of California Flora of the Great Plains (North America) Flora of Ontario Plants described in 1813 Taxa named by Frederick Traugott Pursh Garden plants of North America Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Helenieae-stub