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Gaillardia
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Gaillardia

Gaillardia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameGaillardia
DescriptionCheerful, sun-loving perennial or annual featuring vibrant daisy-like flowers in bold combinations of red, orange, and yellow, often with contrasting bands resembling colorful Native American blankets. Blooms prolifically from early summer through frost with minimal care, thriving in heat and drought. Excellent for prairie gardens, wildflower meadows, and xeriscaping. Attracts butterflies and bees while resisting deer. Long-lasting cut flower that brings prairie charm to any garden.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusGaillardia
TribeHeliantheae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaRay florets - Br % ♀/⚥ K0 C∞ A0 G(2), Disk florets - Br ⊕ ⚥ K0 C(5) A(5) G(2)

Composite flower head (capitulum). Ray florets - Bracteate, bilaterally symmetrical, female or bisexual, no sepals (modified to pappus scales), numerous fused petals forming strap-shaped ray (often 3-lobed), no stamens or reduced, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Disk florets - Bracteate, radially symmetrical, bisexual, no sepals, 5 fused petals forming tube, 5 fused stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Named after French magistrate and botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau (18th century). 'Blanket Flower' from resemblance to brightly patterned Native American blankets. 'Indian Blanket' and 'Firewheel' describe vibrant colors. State wildflower of Oklahoma. About 25 species, mostly North American
  • Flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, composite heads with ray and disc florets. Ray florets typically red or orange with yellow tips creating banded effect; disc florets burgundy-red or yellow. Colors include solid red, orange, yellow, or striking bicolors. Single or semi-double forms. Blooms summer through frost (June-October)
  • Annual (G. pulchella) or short-lived perennial (G. aristata, G. x grandiflora). Blooms first year from seed. Perennials live 2-3 years but self-seed for continuous presence. Deadheading prolongs blooming but prevents self-seeding. Tolerates extreme heat and drought once established
  • Grows 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, dwarf varieties 8-12 inches. Spread of 12-18 inches. Lifespan of 2-3 years for perennials, one season for annuals. Propagated from seed (sow direct in spring, blooms in 10-12 weeks), division, or stem cuttings
  • Native to North and South America, primarily central and western United States, Mexico. G. pulchella from southern Great Plains; G. aristata from western prairies. Found in prairies, plains, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Thrives in poor, dry soils
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours minimum). Thrives in poor to average, well-drained soil. Extremely drought and heat tolerant once established. Dislikes rich soil or overwatering (causes weak growth, disease). Deadhead for continuous blooms. Very low maintenance. Hardy zones 3-10
  • Excellent for prairie gardens, wildflower meadows, and xeriscaping. Long-lasting cut flower (5-7 days). Attracts butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit resistant. Tolerates poor soil, heat, drought, and neglect. Self-seeds but not invasive. Symbolizes cheerfulness. Perfect for low-water, low-maintenance gardens

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificGaillardia
English (Alternate)Blanket flowers, Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Sundance
Hindiगैलार्डिया (Gaillardia), ब्लांकेट फ्लावर (Blanket Flower), इंडियन ब्लैंकेट फ्लावर (Indian Blanket Flower)
Tamilகில்லார்டியா (Gillardiya), தீச்சக்கரம் (Tīccakaram)
Teluguగైల్లార్డియా (Gaillardia), Gaillardiya Vittanam (గైల్లార్డియా విత్తనం)
Malayalamഗെയ്‌ലാർഡിയ (Geyilardiya), ബ്ലാങ്കറ്റ് ഫ്ലവർ (Blaanket Phlawar)
Kannadaಬ್ಲಾಂಕೆಟ್ ಹೂವು (Blanket Hoovu)
Sanskritबहुवर्णपुष्पम्(bahuvarna pushpam), भूषायुक्तपुष्पम् (bhushayukta pushpam)
Bengaliগ্যালার্ডিয়া (Gellardia), ইন্ডিয়ান ব্ল্যাঙ্কেট (Indian Blanket), ফায়ারউইল (Firewheel)
FrenchGaillarde
RussianГайлардия (Gayllardiya), цветы-покрывала (tsvety-pokryvala)
Spanishgirasol rojo, gualdina
GermanKokardenblume

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.