Native Plants of the Great Lakes
North Branch Restoration Project:
Native Plant and Seed Collection
Ratibida Pinnata / Family: Asteraceae
Yellow Coneflower, Swink/Wilhelm # 4
FLOWERING: July to August
SEED TIMING: October to November
HABITAT: Dry, mesic, and wet prairies
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: 3 - 5 feet. Tall plant, with single
flowers to a stem and reflexed yellow petals with a conelike disk
that darkens with maturity. Alternate lower leaves on long petioles
are divided into 3 - 7 leaflets. Leaflets are slender and
lance-shaped and usually have coarse teeth. Leaves tend to droop
slightly. When the center cone is crushed it has a distinct anise
scent.
TO PICK: The seed head is a gray naked cone, sometimes
confused with the flower in bud. The head should crumble between the
fingers when ripe, but it is sometimes hard to pull off. The seeds
are small, flattened ovals with winged margins. Pick entire head. |
