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.