Common blanketflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common blanketflower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gaillardia
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| Species: |
aristata
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Galardia aristata Pursh
Gaillardia bicolor var. aristata (Pursh) Nutt. Gaillardia bicolor Pursh Gaillardia bracteosa Standl. Gaillardia hallii Rydb. Gaillardia perennis Loisel. Gaillardia richardsonii Auct. Gaillardia roezli Regel Gaillardia rustica Cass. Polatherus scaber Raf. Virgilia grandiflora Nutt. |
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The Gaillardia aristata is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the sunflower family. People often call it the common blanketflower or common gaillardia. This wildflower grows year after year. You can find it all over North America. It grows from Yukon in the north to Québec in the east. It also grows south into California, Arizona, Illinois, and Connecticut. Sometimes, it grows in new places like Europe, Australia, and South America.
What the Blanketflower Looks Like
The common blanketflower can grow in many different places. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It can grow to be about 20 to 70 centimeters (8 to 28 inches) tall.
This plant has lance-shaped leaves near its base. It also has several straight stems without leaves. These stems hold up the flowers.
Each flower head looks like a single large flower. But it is actually made of many tiny flowers. The center has brownish or reddish-purple disc florets. Around the edge are yellow to reddish ray florets. These ray florets have dark bases and are about 10 to 30 millimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) long.
After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit. This fruit is a strong, hairy achene. It can be over 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. It also has a long, spiky pappus, which helps it spread its seeds.
How People Use Blanketflowers
Some Native American tribes used the blanketflower. They used it to help heal wounds. They also used it to bring down fevers.
Today, Gaillardia aristata is a very popular ornamental plant. People grow it in their gardens as a pretty flower that comes back every year.
See also
In Spanish: Gaillardia aristata para niños
