Ratibida columnifera - Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida columnifera is native to the plains of the midwest and into Mexico. Mexican hat refers to the shape of the flower. Ratibida columnifera attracts butterflies. The White Checkered Skippers, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, and Painted Lady Butterflies are frequent Spring visitors to the Mexican Hat flowers. This perennial grows up to 3 feet tall producing red flowers in the Summer. Ratibida columnifera can be found in wildflower seedmixes and has escaped into the wild in several counties in California. Care should be taken when planting the Mexican Hat in places where it might escape. Upright Priarie Coneflowers are drought tolerant and grow readily from seed in a sunny garden.