Featured in Wildflowers of the World on February 10th, 2012.

A great blanket flower stands tall with the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains providing a perfect backdrop for the photo. Taken near Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Canon EOS 50D
Focal length:70 mm
Exposure:1/250 at f/9
ISO 100
No post-processing

Gaillardia aristata is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family also known by the names common blanketflower and common gaillardia.

This wildflower is native to much of northern and western North America, where it grows in many habitats. It is also a widely cultivated garden flower. This is a perennial herb reaching maximum heights of anywhere between 20 and 70 centimeters. It has lance-shaped leaves near the base and several erect, naked stems holding the flowers. Each flower head has a center of brownish or reddish purple disc florets and a fringe of ray florets which are about one to three centimeters long and yellow to reddish with dark bases. The fruit is a stout, hairy achene which may be over a centimeter long including the long, spiky pappus.