About Gaillardia suavis (A.Gray & Engelm.) Britton & Rusby
Nomenclature
Gaillardia suavis (A.Gray & Engelm.) Britton & Rusby is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, with the common names pincushion daisy and perfumeballs.
Native Range
This species is native to northern Mexico, specifically the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, as well as the southern Great Plains region of the United States, which includes Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Habitat and Soil
It grows in limestone or sandy soils found in prairies, desert scrub, or open juniper woodlands.
Growth Form and Size
It is a perennial herb that reaches up to 80 cm (31 in) in height.
Leaf Arrangement
Its leaves are crowded around the base of the plant, rather than growing along the stem.
Flower Head Stalk
Each individual flower head sits on its own separate stalk, which can grow up to 75 cm (30 in) long.
Ray Flower Characteristics
Most flower heads produce 7 to 10 red or purple ray flowers, though some heads do not produce any ray flowers at all.
Disc Flower Characteristics
The center of each flower head holds 40 to 100 pink or purple disc flowers.
