Blanket Flower

As the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the Continental Divide on July 6th, 1806, this showy native species was collected. Philadelphia botanist Frederick Pursh (1774-1820), who first published descriptions of new species from the Expedition’s collection in 1813, noted it was found “on dry hills on the Rocky-mountains.” This showy species is a common perennial found in open, sunny habitats on prairies and hillsides from Western British Columbia to Western Arizona and New Mexico. Blanket flower blooms from summer through autumn, with yellow ray florets sometimes tinged red at the base, and reddish-orange central disk florets that are attractive to pollinators.

Made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.