Description

Ratibida columnifera, Mexican Hat, Native Perennial Plant Plugs, Native Wildflowers, Native Pollinator Support Plants, Organically Grown

Ratibida columnofaria is NOT observed as a native species in Virginia, Maryland, or Delaware within the Mid Atlantic. Please use this USDA link to determine it’s native status in your area.

Ratibida columnifera
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl.
Mexican Hat, Red-spike Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Thimbleflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Lepachys columnaris, Lepachys columnifera, Ratibida columnaris, Ratibida columnaris var. pulcherrima, Rudbeckia columnaris, Rudbeckia columnifera
USDA Symbol: raco3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A plant branched and leafy in lower part with long leafless stalks bearing flower heads of 3-7 yellow or yellow and red-brown, drooping rays surrounding a long, red-brown central disk. Its sombrero-shaped flower heads, is usually 1 1/2 ft. tall but can reach 3 ft. Flower petals range from dark red and yellow, to all red or all yellow. The flowers central brown disk protrudes 1/2 to 2 in. above the drooping petals. Leaves on the lower portion of the stem are feathery and deeply cleft.

The colorful flower heads, resembling the traditional broad-brimmed, high-centered hat worn during Mexican fiestas, often bloom by the thousands. Green Prairie Coneflower (R. tagetes) has a spherical or oblong central disk and leaves closer to the flower head.

Ratibida columnifera, Mexican Hat, Native Perennial Plant Plugs, Native Wildflowers, Native Pollinator Support Plants, Organically Grown

Ratibida columniferia Native Plant Plugs

Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers 2 inches
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Late spring through July; often into August and September if moisture is available.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , SK
Native Distribution: S.e. B.C. to AZ, e. to WI, IL, MO, AR, OK & TX, south to central Mexico; naturalized eastward
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Roadsides

Ratibida columniferia Native Plant Plugs

Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Various well-drained, usually calcareous soils. Also Limestone-based, Caliche type, Clay, Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy.
Conditions Comments: This is a drought tolerant plant that withstands competition. Plants with rich, brown-purple ray flowers are form pulcherima. Mexican Hat is a fast growing wildflower that is not fussy about soils and is easy to grow from seed. Showy flowers bloom over a long season. Foliage has a strong odor that repels deer. CAUTION: it grows aggressively and may push out other weaker species.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Color, Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Wildflower meadow, Perennial garden, Rocky hillside, Patio pot plant
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds, Deer will eat this flower
Use Food: Beverage tea from leaves. (Kindscher)
Use Medicinal: Tea from leaves and stalks used for stomach ache and pain in side. Tea from flower used for headache. Boiled leaves and stems used as wash for snakebite and poison ivy. (Kindscher)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Ratibida columnifera, Mexican Hat, Native Perennial Plant Plugs, Native Wildflowers, Native Pollinator Support Plants, Organically Grown

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