Yellow Prairie coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Formerly Ratibida 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 forma 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.