Gaillardia pulchella

Species category

Flower

Common name

Indian blanket, firewheel

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Triangular

Size

  • Length 2.5 mm
  • Width 1.5 mm
  • Thickness 1.5 mm

Color

Light brown with dark mottling

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
units are broad scales at the base but terminate in a narrow bristle.

Identification notes

AchenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
are triangular in side view and composed of four or five connecting flat surfaces. Sometimes a longitudinal groove is found in the middle of the flat surfaces. Color is light brown, mottled with dark gray. Broad apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
rim supports 4-6 pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
units composed of broad scales that terminate in a single bristle. Scar is basalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
and pointed.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Gaillardia pulchella Foug.

 Gaillardia pulchella.  Achenes with a broad apical rim that supports four to six pappus units composed of broad scales that terminate in a single bristle.
Gaillardia pulchella. Achenes with a broad apical rim that supports four to six pappus units composed of broad scales that terminate in a single bristle.
 Gaillardia pulchella.  Achenes with pappus units that are broad scales at the base, but terminate in a narrow bristle. 
Gaillardia pulchella. Achenes with pappus units that are broad scales at the base, but terminate in a narrow bristle.