PRAIRIE CONE FLOWER
Ratibida pinnata

Plant Family.......... Asteraceae (Sunflower) ... Plant Height ....2 Feet
Leaf Arrangement..Alternate

Habitat.............Open Areas, Roadsides
Bloom Date............June

Flower Color....Yellow

Img 1 -
CONEFLOWER

Img 2
CONEFLOWER
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DESCRIPTION

The Prairie Coneflower is an annual requiring full sun. It is native to the Southeast but grows throughout the south and part of the Midwest. It grows to about 2 feet tall and blooms in June. The flower is similar but smaller than the Black Eyed Susan. The plant will reseed if the surrounding ground has bare patches. One of the common names is "clasping coneflower" because the leaves clasp around the stem at the base. Another distinguishing feature of this species is the small bracts at the base of the rays. These can be seen in the enlarged version of image 1. The seed matures soon after flowering and if seed is to be saved it must be gathered before being scattered and lost. The Coneflower is used in gardens for color when earlier blooming than the Black Eyed Susan is desired. The plant responds well to fertilizers. Coneflowers can be seen in season along roadsides sunny and waste areas. Seed is available from garden supply centers and catalogs. By searching the web by the genus and species name, sources for seed can be found

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