Indian blanket

Plant Type

Herbaceous Wildflower

Life Cycle

Annual

Typical Size

1.5-2 ft. tall
1-2 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil

Propagation

By seed

Plant Propagation Notes

No pretreatment required for germination.

Plant Planting Notes

Space 6-12″ apart.

Plants/Diseases

No serious disease or insect problems. Root rot may occur in poorly drained soils. Mild susceptibility to aphids and thrips.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves alternate. Blades linear, oblong, or spatulate with entire margins. Sometimes lobed. Covered in jointed hairs.

Flowers

Typically rays are red with yellow/orange outer tips, but can be solid red/burgundy, golden yellow, orange, or purple. Heads are made up of 7-20 rays and central disc flowers approximately 3 inches wide.

Fruit

Obpyramidal single seeded cypselae with 7-8 hair tufts.

Bark

Upright stems lacking leaves toward the flower head.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

Ethnobotanical Use

Teas made from Gaillardia pulchella were used to help gastro-intestinal issues. Tea baths were used to help relieve pain of nursing women.

The Kiowa people believed the plant to have brought good luck.

USDA Hardiness Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Light Exposure

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Dry, Medium

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Native in South Carolina?

No

Closest States Where Native

TX

Plant Native Habitat

Sandy or calcareous soils, often disturbed places, mostly in grasslands or open places.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Apparently Secure (G4)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Previously considered native in South Carolina by the USDA and Biota of North America Program (BONAP) North America Plant Atlas (NAPA); however, based on recent work by Weakley et al., now considered native in TX but naturalized along the Southeast US Coastal Plain.

Subspecies

Gaillardia pulchella var. drummondii