gaillardia

Gaillardia aristata

characteristics

A very popular perennial — that is sold at many garden centres — with clasping, grey-green dandelion-like leaves. Both leaves and stems are covered with fuzzy hairs. Large yellow flowers, toothed at the tip, are tinged red toward the central cone. The distinctive round cone is bright red turning to dark red then brown at maturity. Tends to form dense colonies.
Very photogenic plant, also known as blanket flower.

186,436 seeds/pound; stats from seed, container, root division.

habitat

Grasslands, meadows and pastures.

uses

Food plants for a variety of larvae in the Schinia (moth) species.

North American aboriginals used the flowers to "paint" the body for pain. A poultice made of the ground plant mixed with bear grease was used to reduce swelling.