Can you identify this wildflower I saw at roadside. Thanks, Donna
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardener regarding identification of this plant.
It appears to be a species of Gaillardia. This plant is native in parts of North and South America, but likely not native in Ontario. That being said, it has ‘naturalized’ here, meaning it is happy in Ontario and is found in the wild in many places around the province. This particular plant is most likely either Gaillardia aristata or pulchella as both these species do well in our climate. The common name is Blanket Flower.
The seeds responsible for this particular plant may have been dropped by a bird or carried on the wind to its current location. Alternatively, as it is a very hardy plant which survives in different conditions, it is also possible that the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority or Toronto Parks may have seeded the area with a wild flower mix (containing Gaillardia) in order to beautify roadsides or mitigate dry soil erosion.
This plant can also be found for sale in plant nurseries as a perennial for use in private gardens. In many cases, these commercial plants will be the hybrid Gaillardia x grandifola. This cultivar is used in the landscape to create mid-summer blooming when many perennials are past their best.
We do not encourage anyone to pick ‘wild flowers’ unless they have been purposefully sewn in a private garden. Picking these truly wild ones in parks or on road verges can damage existing plants, diminish available food sources for wildlife consumption and reduce seed needed for plant regrowth and spread. Also, wild plants can be toxic and cause skin irritation so it’s advisable to enjoy them from a distance.
Hope this information is helpful.