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Bransford, W.D. Mrs. (ND, ND)
Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnh.
Gray-head mexican-hat, Pinnate prairie coneflower, Yellow coneflower
USDA Symbol: RAPI
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A slender, hairy-stemmed plant bearing flower heads with drooping, yellow rays surrounding a roundish to ellipsoid, grayish central disk darkening to brown as rays drop off. Gray-head mexican-hat is a 3-5 ft. tall, summer perennial with a somewhat branched stem. One or several flowers, each on its own long stalk, may top a single stem. The yellow rays (petals) droop downward and are arranged around a grayish-brown cone. Lower leaves are long and divided into leaflets, while the upper leaves are smaller.
A similar species, Upright Prairie Coneflower (R. columnifera), is a shorter plant; its central disk is columnar, 2-4 1/2 times as long as thick. Because these species are palatable to livestock, the plants tend to diminish with heavy grazing of rangeland. When bruised, the central disk exudes an anise scent.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Color: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI
Canada: ON Native Distribution: W. PA & s. Ont. to MN, SD & NE, s. to GA, LA & OK
Native Habitat: Prairies; thickets; woodland edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: This tall, showy plant needs competition in small areas.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Dependably propagated from seed, which is produced abundantly. Sow unstratified seed in fall; stratified seed in spring.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Moist stratification improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff
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