The common name refers to the inflorescence's resemblance to brightly patterned blankets made by native Americans.

History:

These plants form wiry, branched stems with lanceolate to linear basal leaves. The plant grows to 11⁄2 to 2 ft (46 to 61 cm) tall, with bright daisy-like single color and bi-color blooms in shades from buff to red to brown. The flowers bloom in the summer. There are more than two dozen known species of Gaillardia.

They will grow under very harsh and dry conditions, forming mounds 8–18 inches (20–46 cm) high, and will even bloom in sand along a seashore