Pinnate Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida pinnata

Pinnate Prairie Coneflower

Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Ratibida
Species:
Ratibida pinnata

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
Yellow

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Ontario

Keystone Species Ranking

Bee Keystone:
★★★★☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola), Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers open prairies and meadows

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 90 days or damp stratified by mixing it with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampening in a plastic bag or container, then stored for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F.

Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. June 19 to August 7. Seed is harvested August 25. The plant is found from southern Ontario to Georgia and west to South Dakota and south to Oklahoma.

Source: npn.rngr.net