Indian blanket is an wildflower native to the central and southern United States and northern Mexico, widely grown in sunny gardens. Its flowers usually have a dark red-brown center and red outer petals tipped with yellow. It is also called firewheel.
Appearance
Growth form
This upright annual is usually about 8–24 in (20–60 cm) tall and has softly hairy stems and leaves.
Leaves
The gray-green leaves alternate along the stem. Lower leaves may be lobed, while upper leaves are smaller and often smooth-edged.
Flowers
A flower head is about 2 in (5 cm) across, usually with a dark red-brown center and red outer petals tipped with yellow. Garden forms may have one or more layers of petals, sometimes with petal-like parts shaped like narrow tubes.
Fruit
The fading flower becomes a round, fuzzy seed head filled with .
Firewheel is usually an annual with smaller flower heads. Hybrid Blanketflower is usually a short-lived perennial with larger heads, though a single photo may not settle the identification.
Why they get mixed up · The hybrid is partly descended from this species and shares its red-and-yellow patterns.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
prairies and fields
roadsides
coastal sand
sunny gardens
Range
Its native range runs from the central United States into northern Mexico. It also grows beyond that range where it has been planted or included in wildflower mixes.
Preferred conditions
It does best in full sun and fast-draining soil. Established plants tolerate heat, drought, and salty coastal conditions.
Growing it
Care
Grow it in full sun and well-drained soil. Letting some seed heads mature can allow the plant to .
Propagation
It is easily raised from seed and may self-seed where conditions suit it.
Name and classification
About the name
It is also called Indian blanket flower or blanket flower.
Varieties and forms
Some garden forms have entirely red or yellow flowers, while others have both colors. Some double-flowered forms have petal-like parts rolled into narrow tubes. Hybrid blanketflower (Gaillardia × grandiflora) is a separate garden hybrid.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed
Culture and stories
Culture and stories
Firewheel is Oklahoma’s state wildflower.
The name “blanket flower” is linked to the flower’s bright woven-looking colors or its ability to cover the ground with color.