Pinnate Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
wackybadger
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Ratibida
- Species:
- Ratibida pinnata
- USDA Symbol:
- RAPI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus), Zadontomerus Ashmead Moths:Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Prairie species that resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire. Fire increases flowering and stand vigor.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; surface sow or barely cover seed. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.