GREAT-FLOWERED GAILLARDIA 



Gaillardia aristata Pursh 

 THISTLE FAMILY 



This Gaillardia, perhaps the handsomest member of the 

 Sunflower tribe, is a native of the western hills and plains. Whilst 

 found over a wide area, it is most abundant in the southern part 

 of our territory. It prefers sandy and gravelly soil and rejoices 

 in full exposure to sunshine. Its graceful form and its wonderful 

 coloring have attracted the attention of horticulturists, so that 

 today one may find it in the best laid out gardens everywhere. 



The stems, one or two feet high, are gray-green by reason 

 of their hairy covering, as are also the leaves. The flower-heads, 

 carried singly on long stalks, are from two to four inches in 

 diameter. At first the disk is flat and light green, but soon after 

 shows an outer ring of dark red. As the florets open, the outer 

 ones first, this red ring spreads inward, its progress being marked 

 by the projection of successive rings of yellow anthers. Finally, 

 the green buds having all opened, the whole disk becomes reddish- 

 brown, convex in shape, and heavily fringed with brown hairs. 

 The broad, overlapping rays, notched at the ends, are sometimes 

 entirely golden yellow but oftener at the base are flushed dark 

 red, and veined, especially on the underside, with the same color. 



The whole combination of size, form, color, and texture is 

 charming, and vests this Brown-eyed Susan of the plains with 

 a wealth of glowing beauty. When each Province comes to 

 adopt an official flower, the Gaillardia should be a candidate for 

 such honor in the West. 



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