Gaillardia pulchella
(Firewheel aka Indian Blanket)
Common Names, Latin Name, and Family
Its common names include firewheel, Indian blanket and blanket flower.
Its Latin name is Gaillardia pulchella.
It is found in the Asteraceae, or aster, family.
Form
An annual wildflower that grows to a height of 1-2 feet.
Leaves
Firewheel leaves are alternate, lanceolate to oblanceolate in shape and hairy.
Leaves on the upper stems are sessile and entire.
Leaves on the lower part of the plant are stalked and may be toothed or lobed.
Flowers
The reddish-orange, reddish-purple, flower petals are tipped with yellow and appear all year.
Some plants produce a wide range of flower colors from almost solid orange to almost solid yellow.
Fruit / Seeds
The seeds are conical in shape and the pappus is very spiky and can leave splinters in your fingers.
Habitat
It occurs naturally in old fields, roadsides, disturbed sites and beaches.
Native Range
In Florida it is found naturally occurring in just about the entire state mainly in areas along the coast.
It is native to the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH,
OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, and WI.
It grows in zones 5a to 11.
Landscape Use
In the home landscape it grows in full sun to part shade with average to dry soils.
Wildlife Use
Bees and butterflies use the flowers as a nectar source.
The seeds are spikey but some small birds and mammals may eat them.
Propagation
It is mainly propagated by seeds but can be transplanted when very small.
Since it is an annual larger specimens won’t survive being transplanted although some may might. If the area is going to be cleared anyway it is worth a try to save some.