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Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata

Taller than similar yellow coneflowers, Gray-headed Coneflower. Found in dry prairies and savannas, it is drought tolerant and transplants easily.

USDA symbol: RAPI

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height4 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorYellow
Prairie Coneflower (Prairie Coneflower<div><em class="small">Ratibida pinnata</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience8
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, Fire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: High

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

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Erosion Control, Shoreline Buffer, Upland Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadFast
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyBlue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, 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