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Upright Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera

Long-headed Coneflower or Prairie Coneflower is smaller that most yellow coneflowers. Drought tolerant, but susceptible to herbivory from mammals.

USDA symbol: RACO3

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 3 feet
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorYellow
Upright Coneflower (Upright Coneflower<div><em class="small">Ratibida columnifera</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, Fire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJuly to September
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous bee species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Stem Nesting, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeShoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism4
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadFast
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionAbsent

Range

CountyBecker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Hennepin, Houston, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Washington, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands