“Brown-eyed Susan”
Submitted by Rebecca.
Scientific Name: Gaillardia aristata
Family Name: Asteraceae
Bloom Period: Spring into Summer
Life Span: Perennial
Height: 30-90 cm tall
Habitat: Dry meadows and forest openings below 2000 meters.
Leaf Description: Leaves are on stem and oblong to pinnately lobed; lower leaves larger and decreasing in size upward.
Flower and Petal Description: Single flower on stem; ray flowers 6-16, 2-3 cm, 3-lobed at tip.
Stem Description: Narrow and tall.
Fruit Description: Fruits are hairy achenes, with a pappus of 6-10 white scales.
Medicinal Uses: Numerous by Native Americans, drank to alleviate kidney problems and poultice for backaches.
This flower is native to the area.