Mexican Hat

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Ratibida columnifera Also known as Mexican Hat, Red-spike Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Thimbleflower Ratibida columnifera is a charming, upright, plant that typically reaches heights of 1 to 3 feet. You can spot it flourishing from Alberta to Minnesota and all the way down to Arkansas, New Mexico, and Mexico, with the Great Plains being its favorite home. In the summer, it graces us with blooms that feature a long, narrow center disk and delightful drooping yellow rays at the base. Its leaves are pinnately lobed, adding to its unique charm. The dark brown center disks have a delightful resemblance to the crown of a slender sombrero, a nod to the plant's alternate name, the Mexican hat. Tea from leaves and stalks has been used for stomach ache and pain in side. Tea from the flowers has been used for headache. Boiled leaves and stems have been used as wash for snakebite and poison ivy. It’s quite resilient, tolerating drought, light shade, and even somewhat poor soils, though it prefers to avoid moist, heavy clay. BONAP MAP Height: 1’-3’Spread: 1’-1.5’Bloom: June-SeptemberLight: Full Sun-Part Shade Water: Low-MediumZone: 4-9Origin: Texas, North America Show more