Gaillardia aristata.en.wikipedia.org (Accessed 4/2014).

Gaillardia aristata is a hairy perennial herb, 20-70 cm tall, from a short taproot, colonial from slender roots. 

Leaves alternate, narrow, to 15 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, margin entire to pinnately lobed. 

Flowers yellow with dark purple base, rays 6-16, 1-3.5 cm long, margins 3-toothed, disk purple,1.5-3 cm wide; blooms and fruits May-Sept. 

Fruit dry a 1-seeded achene topped by 6-10 awned scales. 

Wetland status: UPL. 

Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent. 

Origin: Southern & Western US. 

Habitat: Dry open soil. Probably planted.