About Gaillardia spathulata A.Gray
Gaillardia spathulata, commonly known as western blanketflower, is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the sunflower family. This species is native to the western United States, where it occurs in Utah, western Colorado, and northwestern Arizona. There is also a documented isolated population of the plant found in central Kansas. Gaillardia spathulata typically grows in clay sandy washes, most often in desert regions. It is an annual herb that reaches a maximum height of 35 cm (14 in). Its leaves are borne along the stem, rather than clustered tightly around the base of the plant. Each individual flower head sits on its own separate stalk that can grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long. Every flower head contains 7 to 10 yellow ray flowers, which surround 60 to 100 yellow disc flowers.
