Gaillardia

Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gaillardia /ɡˈlɑːrdiə/[3] (common name blanket flower)[4] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to North and South America. It was named after Maître Gaillard de Charentonneau,[5][6] an 18th-century French magistrate who was an enthusiastic botanist. The common name may refer to the resemblance of the inflorescence to the brightly patterned blankets made by Native Americans, or to the ability of wild taxa to blanket the ground with colonies.[7] Many cultivars have been bred for ornamental use.

Quick facts Scientific classification, Synonyms ...
Gaillardia
Gaillardia pulchella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Helenieae
Subtribe: Gaillardiinae
Genus: Gaillardia
Foug.[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Guentheria Spreng.
  • Galordia Raeusch.
  • Polypteris Less.
  • Calonnea Buc'hoz
  • Cercostylos Less.
  • Othake Raf.
  • Agassizia A.Gray & Engelm.
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Description

Cultivated Gaillardia in Gahkuch, Pakistan.

These are annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs, sometimes with rhizomes. The stem is usually branching and erect to a maximum height around 80 centimeters (31.5 inches). The leaves are alternately arranged. Some taxa have only basal leaves. They vary in shape. They are glandular in most species. The inflorescence is a solitary flower head. The head can have 15 or more ray florets, while some taxa lack any ray florets. They can be almost any shade of yellow, orange, red, purplish, brown, white, or bicolored. They are sometimes rolled into a funnel shape. There are many tubular disc florets at the center of the head in a similar range of colors, and usually tipped with hairs. The fruit usually has a pappus of scales.[8]

Ecology

Gaillardia species are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species, including Schinia bina (which has been recorded on G. pulchella), Schinia masoni (which feeds exclusively on G. aristata) and Schinia volupia (which feeds exclusively on G. pulchella).

red dome blanketflower (Gaillardia pinnatifida)
Gaillardia 'Fanfare'

Symbolism

It is the official flower of Wallonia.
The school colors of Texas State University are maroon and old gold, a combination inspired by the gaillardia.[9]

Species

Species include:[4][10]

Hybrids

Formerly placed here

References

Further reading

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