Plant · GBIF taxon 3087173
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
1 / 7—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
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)
Size / weightNot available
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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