• Photo of Ratibida pinnata (Ratibida pinnatas)

Plant Profile: Ratibida pinnata

Taxonomy: Ratibida pinnata

Names

Gray-headed Coneflower, Grey-headed Coneflower, Pinnate Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower

  • Photo of Ratibida pinnata (Ratibida pinnatas)

Phonetic Spelling:ruh-TIBB-ih-duh pih-NAY-tuh

Genus:Ratibida

Species:pinnata

Family:Asteraceae

The Yellow Coneflower is a perennial herb with rhizomatous growth, indigenous to the central and eastern regions of the United States, belonging to the aster family. This plant thrives in fields, prairies, and dry, open woodlands, reaching heights of up to 5 feet. Its striking yellow flowers are particularly appealing to a variety of pollinators and bloom throughout most of the summer.

This species flourishes best in clay loam to loam soils under full sunlight, yet it demonstrates remarkable adaptability to a range of moisture levels and soil types. It is straightforward to cultivate, thriving in conditions from full sun to partial shade. Additionally, it exhibits tolerance to drought and poor soil, so it is advisable to avoid excessive watering and fertilization.

Consider incorporating the Yellow Coneflower into native or pollinator gardens, using it as a back border plant, or placing it in naturalized settings, meadows, or open woodlands.

Ratibida pinnata Feature Summary

Ratibida pinnata Image Gallery

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Ratibida pinnata Feature Summary

Attributes
South East Canada to U.S.A
Attracts pollinators, especially bees. Host plant to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly as well as some moths. Goldfinches will eat the seeds.
Perennial
Flowers
Up to 13 extremely reflexed yellow petals are 1-3 inches long and surround an oblong, grayish center with many disc florets; anise scent when bruised. Blooms early to late summer.
Gold/Yellow
6 petals/rays
1-3 inches
Leaves
Pinnately divided glandular leaves with 3 to 7 segments. Margins may be slightly dentate or entire and have stiff whitish hairs. The largest basal leaves are up to 8 inches long and 5 inches across. Stem leaves are smaller and sparse.
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Elliptical
Lanceolate
Entire
Lobed
Dentate
> 6 inches
3-6 inches
Stem
Tall slender slightly ridged stems with hairs.
Hairy (pubescent)
Whole Plant Traits
Wildflower
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Children's Garden
Native Garden
Woodland
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Slope/Bank
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Bees

Ratibida pinnata Attributes

Ratibida pinnata: Country Or Region Of Origin

South East Canada to U.S.A

Ratibida pinnata: Wildlife Value

Attracts pollinators, especially bees. Host plant to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly as well as some moths. Goldfinches will eat the seeds.

Ratibida pinnata: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Ratibida pinnata Flowers

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Description

Up to 13 extremely reflexed yellow petals are 1-3 inches long and surround an oblong, grayish center with many disc florets; anise scent when bruised. Blooms early to late summer.

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Color

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Gold/Yellow

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Ratibida pinnata: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Ratibida pinnata Leaves

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Description

Pinnately divided glandular leaves with 3 to 7 segments. Margins may be slightly dentate or entire and have stiff whitish hairs. The largest basal leaves are up to 8 inches long and 5 inches across. Stem leaves are smaller and sparse.

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Ratibida pinnata: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Ratibida pinnata: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Ratibida pinnata Stem

Ratibida pinnata: Stem Description

Tall slender slightly ridged stems with hairs.

Ratibida pinnata: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Ratibida pinnata: Stem Surface

Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)

Ratibida pinnata Whole Plant Traits

Ratibida pinnata: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Ratibida pinnata Cultural Conditions

Ratibida pinnata: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Ratibida pinnata: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Ratibida pinnata Landscape

Ratibida pinnata: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Ratibida pinnata: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Ratibida pinnata: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Ratibida pinnata: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Ratibida pinnata: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees