Gaillardia suavis explained

Gaillardia suavis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, common names pincushion daisy[1] and perfumeballs. It is native to northern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas)[2] and the southern Great Plains of the United States (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas).[3]

Gaillardia suavis grows in limestone or sandy soils in prairies, desert scrub, or open juniper woodlands. It is a perennial herb up to 80cm (30inches) tall, with leaves crowded around the base rather than borne on the stem. Each flower head is on its own flower stalk up to 75cm (30inches) long. Each head generally has 7-10 red or purple ray flowers, though some heads have no ray flowers. The center of the head has 40-100 pink or purple disc flowers.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.backyardnature.net/n/h/pincushn.htm Excerpts from Jim Conrad's Naturalist Newsletter, Backyard Nature, Pincushion Daisies
  2. Turner, B. L. 2013. The comps of Mexico. A systematic account of the family Asteraceae (chapter 11: tribe Helenieae). Phytologia Memoirs 16: 1–100
  3. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Gaillardia%20suavis.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066790 Flora of North America, Gaillardia suavis (A. Gray & Engelmann) Britton & Rusby, 1887.