Gaillardia aristata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Gaillardia |
Species: | G. aristata |
Binomial name | |
Gaillardia aristata Pursh 1813 |
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Synonyms | |
Synonymy
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Gaillardia aristata is a North American species of flowering plants 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 east to Québec and south as far as California, Arizona, Illinois, and Connecticut, although it may be naturalized rather than native in parts of that range. It is also naturalized in scattered locations in Europe, Australia, and South America.
Gaillardia aristata grows in many habitats. It is a perennial herb reaching maximum heights of anywhere between 20–70 centimetres (7.9–27.6 in). It has lance-shaped leaves near the base and several erect, naked stems holding the flowers.
Each flower head has a center of brownish or reddish purple disc florets and a fringe of ray florets which are about one to three centimeters (0.4-1.2 inches) long and yellow to reddish with dark bases.
The fruit is a stout, hairy achene which may be over a centimeter (>0.4 inches) long including the long, spiky pappus.
Some Plateau Indian tribes used blanketflower to treat wounds and settle fevers.
Gaillardia aristata is a widely cultivated ornamental plant, used as a perennial garden flower.