Gaillardia (aristata)

Mark E. Majerus USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center 99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189 Bridger, Montana 59014-9718 (406) 662-3579 (406) 662-3428 (fax) mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc

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Family Scientific Name:	Asteraceae
Family Common Name:	Aster
Scientific Name:	Gaillardia aristata
Common Name:	Common gaillardia or Indian blanketflower
Species Code:	GAAR
Ecotype:	See
General Distribution:	British Columbia to Saskatchewan, south to northern Oregon, northern Utah, Colorado, and South Dakota; dry, open foothills and mountain grasslands.
Propagation Goal:	seeds
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Harvest yields vary due to weather and age of stand. Average annual production is 25 kg/ha (22 lb/ac).
Propagule Collection:	Wildland collection occurs mid July to late August when the yellow and red ray flower is no longer present and the obpyramidal achene has not shattered (natural dispersal) from the globe-like seedhead; the prickly seedhead is easily hand-harvested. One collection hour/person yielded 128 grams (4.5 oz) clean seed and varies by year, stand density, and collector experience.
Propagule Processing:	Seed Processing: Seed is spread outon a tarp in a dry, sheltered environment and turned daily for approximately 3-5 days, until no moisture or warmth is detected. After drying, seed is threshed with a hammermill through an 8/64" round hole screen, air-screen processed on a Clipper M2B or Eclipse cleaner over a 10/64" or 12/64" round hole screen with moderate wind. Due to the persistent hairy pappus, and poor seed flow, this species is moderately difficult to clean. Larger seed lots are processed most efficiently with mechanized cleaning equipment, and smaller seed lots usually require more hand labor. Seeds/Kg: 378,000. Purity: 100%.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Seed Treatments: None required.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation Environment: Seedbed is firm and free of weeds with good field moisture to 4" depth. Seed Propagation Method: Direct seeding.
Establishment Phase:	Sowing Date: Spring. Sowing/Planting Technique: 25-30 pure live seed/ft (0.3 m) row, irrigated 91-cm (36-in) row spacing, seeded with push-type belt seeder, optimum seeding depth 1.3 cm (0.50 in). Establishment Phase: Soil surface is kept moist throughout the 14 day germination and emergence period (also helps prevent soil crusting (also helps prevent soil crusting).
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 growing seasons.
Active Growth Phase:	Rapid Growth Phase: Summer to fall; soil moisture is critical during budding stage, after anthesis, and post harvest to pre-freezeup- -no irrigation is applied during flowering (pollination). Fertilizer application is not recommended the first year, as it generally stimulates weed growth and competition.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	2 to 3 growing seasons.
Hardening Phase:	N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Cultivated harvest occurred late July to early August, with an average harvest date of August 6 at the Bridger Plant Materials Center. Storage Conditions: Inflorescences were hand-harvested, placed in plastic sacks, and transported to drying area. Seed is placed in cloth or paper seed sacks, and stored in a cool, dry environment. Seed Dormancy Classified as physiological dormancy.
Length of Storage:	<b>Storage Duration:</b> 5-7 years.
Other Comments:	Ecotype: 2 Glacier National Park accessions periodically collected and produced from 1988 to 1995. Elevation ranges 1,219 m to 1,378 m (4,000 ft to 4,520 ft).
References:	Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C. C. Baskin and J. M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001. Vascular Plants of West-Central Montana: Identification Guidebook, Klaus Lackschewitz, USDA USFS, Intermountain Research Station, General Technical Report INT-277, 1991. Plants of Waterton-Glacier National Parks and The Northern Rockies. R. J. Shaw and D. On. Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, Montana, 1979.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Gaillardia aristata seeds USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/20). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.