Gaillardia aestivalis

lanceleaf blanketflower, winkler gaillardia, prairie gaillardia
Family

Asteraceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

sessile

Leaf Margin

entire, serrate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

oblong, lanceolate, oblanceolate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

pink, purple, red, yellow

Flower Petals

many

Flower Month

April - October

Height (meters)

0.3 - 0.6

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

annual, perennial


Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

10

Field Characters

Similar to Helenium autumnale and H. drummondii which both have mature inflorescences with yellow centers (disk flowers) while those of Gaillardia aestivalis are purple. Helenium flexuosum also has purple disk flowers but its stems are winged, while those of Gaillardia are not.

Cultural Information

The seeds are generally ripe September. Remove the seeds from the heads by rubbing then shake through a screen to remove chaff. Seed viability remains high for several years with proper storage. Plants can be transplanted in fall or winter and cuttings taken during the summer will root under mist (Phillips 1985). Seeds average approximately 590,000/lb. Does not do well with competition from tall plants.

Animal Use

A good nectar source for butterflies and bees.

Habitat

Dry sandy upland pine woodlands; pimple mounds in coastal prairie.

Plant Uses

Desirable ornamental.