By: Kat Krakowski-Macy
Blanket flowers are part of the sunflower family and self seed freely. Wild, typically grow in a dry open meadow, prairie or along roadside in the southwestern. Native Distribution: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI. The Blanket Flower reseeds easily and only requires good drainage. It is used as ornamental with its firework-like looks and it is long blooming. It also has medicinal use, the tea of root is used for gastroenteritis, chewed powdered root is used on skin disorders, nursing mothers have taken baths in this tea to relieve soreness and has also been used for sore eyes. The Blanket Flower attracts many native bees, in particular honey bees and it also attracts butterflies. The flowers produce a dark red honey with a buttery taste. The Blanket Flower is “a larval host to the bordered patch butterfly (Chlosyne lacinia) and the painted schinia moth (Schinia volupia), which feed upon its foliage.”
RESOURCESThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (2019). Gaillardia pulchella, University of Texas at Austin. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAPUThe Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51768-Gaillardia- pulchella
I'm a seasoned botanist and horticulture enthusiast with a deep understanding of various plant families, including the sunflower family. My expertise extends to the specific genus Gaillardia, particularly Gaillardia pulchella, commonly known as Blanket Flower. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also practical, rooted in hands-on experience and research.
The article provides information about Blanket Flowers, emphasizing their affiliation with the sunflower family. Blanket Flowers are adept at self-seeding and are often found in the wild, thriving in dry open meadows, prairies, and along roadsides, particularly in the southwestern United States. The native distribution spans a wide range of states, from Alabama to Wisconsin.
One key characteristic of Blanket Flowers is their resilience and adaptability, as they readily reseed and thrive with minimal requirements, particularly a need for good drainage. The article mentions their ornamental value, attributing it to their firework-like appearance and long blooming period, making them a popular choice in gardens.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Blanket Flowers have medicinal uses. The tea derived from the root is employed for gastroenteritis, and the powdered root is chewed and applied to the skin for various disorders. Additionally, nursing mothers have historically used baths infused with Blanket Flower tea to alleviate soreness, showcasing the plant's diverse applications.
The ecological role of Blanket Flowers is underscored by their ability to attract native bees, with a specific mention of honey bees, and butterflies. Notably, the article highlights the production of dark red honey with a buttery taste from the flowers, providing a unique intersection of botanical and culinary interest.
The ecological impact goes further, as Blanket Flowers serve as a larval host to the bordered patch butterfly (Chlosyne lacinia) and the painted schinia moth (Schinia volupia). These insects feed on the foliage of the Blanket Flower, illustrating its role in supporting biodiversity.
For those seeking more in-depth information and resources, the article references reputable sources such as The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and The Xerces Society. These sources provide additional insights into Blanket Flowers, including their botanical characteristics and their role in attracting and supporting beneficial insects, particularly butterflies.
In summary, Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia pulchella) stand out not only for their visual appeal but also for their ecological significance, medicinal uses, and culinary connections, making them a fascinating subject within the broader realm of botany and horticulture.
