Taxon

Ratibida columnifera

 
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Ratibida columnifera - prairie coneflower, Mexican Hat
Image: Janice Tucker
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Common name: prairie coneflower, Mexican Hat
Family: Asteraceae (Aster)
Distribution: North America
Habitat: Prairies, open woodlands
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)
Life form: Herbaceous perennial
Occurrence in New Mexico: New Mexico native plant
Growing Conditions: The native range of prairie coneflower includes most of the western United States, ranging from southeastern British Columbia, south to Arizona, east to Saskatchewan and Texas, and south to central Mexico. It is most common on the Great Plains, and has been widely planted and naturalized throughout most of the eastern states. Its native habitats include prairies, plains, and open piñon-juniper woodlands, usually at elevations up to about 7,500 feet. It has naturalized in open meadows, pastures, along roadsides and other disturbed areas. This tap-rooted plant prefers a moderate amount of water, but has considerable drought tolerance. It grows in well-drained sand, loam, clay, and often calcareous soils. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. This fast-growing wildflower is easy to grow from seed; it usually flowers the second year. This clump-forming plant grows aggressively and withstands competition from other plants.
Description: The stems of prairie coneflower grow 1-3 feet tall, with a few branches, and may be smooth or hairy. The leaves are often irregularly shaped, but are usually up to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide, with petioles up to 2 inches long, and divided into 5-11 lobes. They are alternately arranged along the stems. Some upper stems terminate in flowerheads consisting of numerous grayish-green disk florets and 4-11 drooping ray florets. The rays are yellow or maroon, oblong, ½–1¼ inch long, and slightly notched at the tips.
Links: SFBG Plant of the Month • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Taxonomy) • NatureServe Explorer • SEINet • Wildflower Center - Native Plant Database

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