Firewheel, Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

​The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
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By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Firewheel, Indian Blanket
Gaillardia pulchella
Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

Found in dry, open areas
Seen blooming in July in Abiquiu

Gaillardia seeds are often included in wildflower mixes but it is a native plant that occurs naturally in our area. Firewheel grows to two feet high with a grayish stem. Leaves are up to three inches in length, with entire or lobed edges. Flowers are two to three inches across. Flower petals are quite deeply divided into three lobes at the tip, and may be all red, all yellow, or banded, reddish near the center and yellow at the tips. The central disk is reddish-purple. Flowers can bloom from May to August. Traditionally, the plant's root has been used to create a tea for treating gastroenteritis and for creating a poultice to apply to skin conditions. Additionally, a tea made from the plant has been used to soothe sore eyes and sore nipples, especially for breastfeeding mothers. An infusion of the plant was used to become a good drummer. The Kiowa tribe also considered the plant to be a symbol of good luck and used them for ornaments in their homes. Source.

​If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.