Indian Blanket Wildflower Along the Outer Banks

This Indian Blanket wildflower, Gaillardia pulchella, was photograhed on Carrot Island in the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve, Beaufort, North Carolina. Native to NC, this wild plant is also know as a Firewheel or Sundance flower. With their colorful red-orange and yellow blossom, they are also a popular addition to native flower gardens. Loved by Honey Bees, honey roduced by pollinators that regularly visit these lovely blooms is a dark amber brown. These wildflower prefer sandy soil and direct sunlight. They are draught resistant. They're frequently seen on sand dunes along the barrier islands of the Outer Banks.