Plant
Upright Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columniferaAlso known as Mexican Hat, Longhead Prairie Coneflower, Rocketflower, Red-Spike Coneflower
Upright prairie coneflowers stand tall over North American grasslands, featuring prominent thimble-like central cones surrounded by drooping ray florets that range from yellow to deep reddish-brown. A vital component of native prairie ecosystems, these hardy perennials bloom through the heat of summer and attract a wide variety of native bees and butterflies. Their persistent seed heads feed small songbirds well into the autumn and winter months.
FloweringPrairie NativeDrought Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
- White-tailed Deer
- Grasshoppers
- American Goldfinch
ThreatsHabitat destruction, land development, invasive plant species
HabitatsPrairies, plains, roadsides, and disturbed areas
Life spanPerennial (3–5 years)
Classification
- FamilyAsteraceae
- SpeciesRatibida columnifera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for the elongated thimble-like central cone and reflexed yellow or red-brown petals.
- Garden Care: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil for a drought-tolerant bloom.
- Wildlife Viewing: Observe native bees and butterflies visiting the flower heads on sunny afternoons.
Frequent Companion (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-by
Frequent Companion no rights reserved, uploaded by Brady Reed · cc0
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Andy Wilson · cc0
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