Why do flowers vary among the species?

by YankeeJim | July 26, 2011 at 06:46 am

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Variety is interesting

We know that in nature, animals and plant diversity is driven by the environment and circumstances that favor the development of characteristics that make them adaptable.

During the past few years, I have developed an interest in firewheels. One reason is that they are easy to grow and are prolific with little care, except watering. When my father was living in Florida, I told him about them because he had difficulty growing flowers around a tall pine tree in his back yard.

He tried planting firewheels. It took a full year cycle before they suddenly appeared. After that, they just kept on coming.

In Virginia, the plant shows life throughout the winter. In spring, they come back strong, though will not blossom until June and thereafter until nearly the first snow.

A friend living in Bath England has them in her yard. They are much yellower in appearance than mine that are red from the center with yellow tips.

To my surprise today, I have a firewheel that is completely yellow. I wonder what caused that to happen. I don’t know, but I surely like the variety.

“Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella)
Firewheel is also known as Rosering Blanket Flower and Fire-wheel. Blanket Flower and Bandana Daisy are applied to the entire genus.

Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant which can reach 75cm in height (30inches). It may be an annual or, in the deep south a perennial. It may be erect, usually somewhat decumbent.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate. The leaves range from nearly entire to slightly toothed (serrate) to being deeply, pinnately lobed.
Flowers: The flowers have numerous parts and are up to 7cm wide (2.75 inches). They are red to purple with yellow or white tips sometimes all yellow. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into mid fall. May bloom throughout the year in Florida. The bracts distingush this species from others in the genus by being tapered to narrow points and having a hairy base.
Habitat: Well drained (sandy) open areas.
Range: Principally a southwestern species found eastward to Florida and in very scattered locations through much of the eastern and central U. S.”