Upright prairie coneflower
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Stndl.
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Description
Upright prairie coneflower is a native, warm-season perennial in the Sunflower family. Also called Mexican hat, it is a common weed and wildflower of roadsides, parks, vacated lands and managed pastures.
This hairy-stemmed plant reproduces from seed or short underground stems. The stems grow from 12 to 40 inches tall and branch near the top. The leaves are strongly lobed into distinct segments that are long, narrow and pointed.
The flowers are borne at the end of slender stems. Each has yellow to brownish petals and a dark brown center that can reach 1 inch long.
Upright prairie coneflower provides good grazing for wildlife and poor grazing for livestock.
Habitat
This plant commonly grows along roadsides and in parks, vacated lands and managed pastures.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow
Seed Type: Non-Encapsulated
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairy
Growth Habit: Forbs/Broadleaf
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds, Wild Flowers
