# upright prairie coneflower (*Ratibida columnifera*) The upright prairie coneflower is a bright yellow flower that loves to grow in sunny places. Its tall stem and unique shape make it stand out in fields and gardens. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![upright prairie coneflower](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ratibidacolumnifera.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stickpen, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ratibidacolumnifera.jpg) ## Appearance The upright prairie coneflower has a distinctive central cone, often dark brown, surrounded by drooping yellow (or sometimes reddish-brown) ray petals. This unique shape makes it resemble a little sombrero or "Mexican Hat," standing tall above other prairie plants. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Ratibida ## Interesting facts - Indigenous peoples used parts of this plant for teas and to make bright yellow dyes. - Its "hat-like" flower inspired its nickname "Mexican Hat" or "Thimbleflower." - Its seeds provide a vital winter food source for many small birds, like finches. - The central cone is actually made of hundreds of tiny, individual flowers! ## Special abilities - **Bee Magnet:** upright prairie coneflower's nectar-rich flowers attract many different types of bees and butterflies, helping pollinate the prairie. - **Tough Pioneer:** upright prairie coneflower can grow well in disturbed or poor soils, helping to re-establish vegetation in tough spots. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 3-7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits for nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — sips nectar from its flowers - **Depends on:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Carduelis tristis*) — eats its protein-rich seeds - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — gathers nectar and pollen ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers unless a grown-up says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify upright prairie coneflower? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is upright prairie coneflower? 30-90 cm ### How wide does upright prairie coneflower spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on upright prairie coneflower? 3-7 cm ### When does upright prairie coneflower bloom? Late spring to fall ### Is upright prairie coneflower edible? Yes ### Is upright prairie coneflower toxic? None ### What is upright prairie coneflower's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Botanical Research Institute of Texas](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanical-research-institute-of-texas) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Old Town Albuquerque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-albuquerque) — New Mexico, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see upright prairie coneflower](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/upright-prairie-coneflower) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Upright Prairie Coneflower: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/upright-prairie-coneflower)