Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
slender gaillardia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Gaillardia pulchella
Height
4 to 14 inches.
Riparian
No
Dense tufts of stems from a woody base, sometimes from rhizomes; stems much-branched, leafy toward the base. The flower stalks are slim so the flower heads bounce and sway in the wind.
Tufted perennial, stems much branched, leafy toward the base. Leaves hairy, alternate, oblong and rounded, toothed or lobed. Flower heads solitary, disc flowers red to purple, rays yellow. Achenes cone-shaped and hairy with short awns at the tips.
Habitat
Plains, mesas, clearings among ponderosa pines, along roads. Often found on limestone soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flower head has 5 to 14 short or long petals (ray flowers) with 3-lobed tips around a fuzzy domed, dark reddish center (disc flowers).
Flower color
Yellow ray, reddish disc flowers
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Pinnately lobed, fine hairs, to 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide; upper leaves smoothed margined and narrow.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes are densely silky hairy and topped with a structure of 5 to 10 dry, membranous scales tipped with slender awns.
Fruit type
Achene