---
{
  "id": "blanketflower",
  "name": "Blanketflower",
  "scientific": "Gaillardia aristata",
  "category": "xeriscape",
  "status": "Colorado native; low-water garden plant",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-perennials"
  ],
  "warning": "Contact dermatitis possible",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "Many nursery blanketflowers are Gaillardia × grandiflora hybrids. Their appearance does not prove they are G. aristata.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-perennials",
    "N-gaillardia-aristata"
  ],
  "description": "Blanketflower: Contact dermatitis possible. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-gaillardia-aristata"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "blanketflower-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-gaillardia-aristata"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific traits; garden judgment",
      "note": "",
      "id": "blanketflower-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-gaillardia-aristata"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "blanketflower-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "blanketflower-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "This review did not establish livestock toxicity despite documented wildlife use.",
      "id": "blanketflower-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "blanketflower-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "blanketflower-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/blanketflower.md"
}
---

# Blanketflower

*Gaillardia aristata*

**Colorado native; low-water garden plant.** [C-perennials](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes/)

> **Contact dermatitis possible.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

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

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

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.

![Open yellow-rayed blanketflower heads with orange-yellow central disks and a reddish inner ring.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-gaillardia-aristata-09.jpg)

**flower** — Open yellow-rayed blanketflower heads with orange-yellow central disks and a reddish inner ring.

Photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank; [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blanketflower_-_Gaillardia_aristata_(23515821570).jpg#Licensing); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blanketflower_-_Gaillardia_aristata_(23515821570).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Blanketflower_-_Gaillardia_aristata_%2823515821570%29.jpg). 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.

![Hairy narrow leaves, upright stems, and developing flower heads viewed from below.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-gaillardia-aristata-10.jpg)

**leaves and developing heads** — Hairy narrow leaves, upright stems, and developing flower heads viewed from below.

Photo: Matt Lavin; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gaillardia_aristata_-_blanketflower_-_52378800238.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Gaillardia_aristata_-_blanketflower_-_52378800238.jpg). 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.

![Close side view of an alternate elongated leaf and stem, both covered in coarse hairs.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-gaillardia-aristata-12.jpg)

**leaf and stem** — Close side view of an alternate elongated leaf and stem, both covered in coarse hairs.

Photo: Matt Lavin  from Bozeman, Montana, USA; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gaillardia_aristata_(3750286513).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Gaillardia_aristata_%283750286513%29.jpg). 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](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/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](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gaillardia-aristata/)

## People

Contact dermatitis is reported; wear gloves if sensitive when handling plants. [N-gaillardia-aristata](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/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](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-perennials** — [Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/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](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gaillardia-aristata/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:59+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=blanketflower) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

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

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| blanketflower-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-gaillardia-aristata | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| blanketflower-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific traits; garden judgment | N-gaillardia-aristata | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| blanketflower-3 | People | Species-specific | N-gaillardia-aristata | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| blanketflower-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| blanketflower-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | This review did not establish livestock toxicity despite documented wildlife use. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/blanketflower/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/blanketflower/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/blanketflower/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json