I first came across this flower (aka Galliardia) when traveling in Texas, growing along the interstate like a weed. Well for Texas they probably do consider it a weed. Just like we think of thistle as a weed (albeit a noxious weed at that), and yet lo and behold I'll see it for sale at the garden centers. Anyone eyeballing it I want to tell them they can have all they want if they just bring their shovel to the ditch beside my house!
As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Or in this case one man's weed is another man's prized specimen. I mean, let's face it, who would have ever thought that it would have been cool to pay for and eat, dare I say, dandelion greens!
So here's my tribute to the colorful Texas weed specimen that beats the dandelion and thistle hands down. Ironically I notice my Galliardia doesn't spread quite as fast as the thistle and dandelions either. (Be sure to notice the ant in the center of the flower on the 2nd picture...cool huh!)