Ratibida columnifera (Yellow Prairie coneflower)
Formerly R. columnaris. Drought tolerant native perennial with showy drooping yellow ray petals, blooming June to September. Common on dry well-drained grasslands, mountain foothills, roadsides and disturbed soils; up to 9,000 ft. elevation. Similar form and adaptation to Mexican hat (R. columnifera var. pulcherrima), but occurs more frequently in the Great Plains and Intermountain West. Use for revegetation, sagebrush and prairie restoration and flower gardens. Easily reseeds itself. Seeds are preferred by birds and small mammals. Various mid to late-season pollinating insects, including honeybees and butterflies, are attracted to the nectar and pollen. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Asteraceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Native Status: Native
Growth Form: Single crown
Mature Height: 37 in.
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Period: Mid summer
Annual Precipitation: 16-40 in.
Drought Tolerance: Low
Shade Tolerance: Medium
Elevation:
Fire Resistance: No
Fire Tolerance: High
Nitrogen fixation: None
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: Yes
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: Yes
Salinity Tolerance: Low
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
pH Range: 5.9-7.0
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 737,100
Seeding Rate: 2 PLS lbs/acre
Season: Spring
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES & LOCAL ACCESSIONS
Stillwater - Consistent tall stature, uniform timing in seed maturation and excellent seed production. Use in revegetation and habitat restoration of rangelands, mine sites, roadsides, recreation areas and wildflower gardens. (Released 2004)