upright prairie coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
The prominent central column of this flower resembles a high-crowned hat, giving it the popular nickname 'Mexican Hat'.
- Scientific name
- Ratibida columnifera
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Ratibida
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry prairies, plains, roadsides, and waste areas
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, drawing nutrients and water via a deep taproot)
- Range
- Great Plains of North America, Southern Canada, Northern Mexico
- Size
- 30 to 100 cm tall
- Lifespan
- Perennial (3 to 10 years)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat conversion to agriculture, invasive weeds, and urban development.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless and safe to approach. You can touch the unique, felt-like seed cone gently. Enjoy taking photos, but avoid harvesting wild plants in nature reserves to preserve local ecosystems.
Ratibida columnifera , commonly known as upright prairie coneflower , rocketflower , Mexican hat , and longhead prairie coneflower , is a perennial species of flowering plant in the genus Ratibida in the family Asteraceae. It is native to much of North America and inhabits prairies, plains, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
Photo: Meghan Cassidy, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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