It was named after Maître Gaillard de Charentonneau,[5][6] an 18th-century French magistrate who was an enthusiastic botanist.

The stem is usually branching and erect to a maximum height around 80 centimeters (31.5 inches).

They can be almost any shade of yellow, orange, red, purplish, brown, white, or bicolored.

There are many tubular disc florets at the center of the head in a similar range of colors, and usually tipped with hairs.

The school colors of Texas State University are maroon and old gold, a combination inspired by the gaillardia.