Blanketflower

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Gaillardia aristata

Colorado native; low-water garden plant. C-perennials

Contact dermatitis possible. Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. Exposure help.

Identification caveat: Many nursery blanketflowers are Gaillardia × grandiflora hybrids. Their appearance does not prove they are G. aristata.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for Dogs & cats, Other animals. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

**flower** — Open yellow-rayed blanketflower heads with orange-yellow central disks and a reddish inner ring.
NPS / Jacob W. Frank · Public domain
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**leaves and developing heads** — Hairy narrow leaves, upright stems, and developing flower heads viewed from below.
Matt Lavin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**leaf and stem** — Close side view of an alternate elongated leaf and stem, both covered in coarse hairs.
Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Recognize

Daisy-like heads with yellow or reddish ray flowers and darker centers; leaves and stems have hairs. N-gaillardia-aristata

Plants & habitat

Suited to hot, dry sites with drainage; seed and division propagate it. Flowers support pollinators and seedheads attract birds. Garden judgment: remove unwanted volunteers around smaller plants. N-gaillardia-aristata

People

Contact dermatitis is reported; wear gloves if sensitive when handling plants. N-gaillardia-aristata

Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

Other animals

This review did not establish livestock toxicity despite documented wildlife use. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. S27

References

C-perennials — Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes, Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:17+00:00. Locator: Description, distribution, hazards, management; see claim locator.
N-gaillardia-aristata — Gaillardia aristata — Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:59+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.

Content revised 2026-09-07 02:43:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.