Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standl.

Red spike Mexican hat.

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Mexican Hat is an introduced perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to the central and southwestern portions of the United States and adjacent Mexico. Mexican Hat is commonly included in Wildflower seed mixes and has become established on some roadsides and prairies. It is a perennial with a tap root. Stems are 1-3 feet in height and branched above the middle. Leaves are alternate, 1-2 pinnatifid, with 3-14 linear lobes. The leaves are pubescent and gland dotted and have a grayish color to them. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are elevated well above the foliage on long peduncles. The heads have 4-12 reflexed ray flowers that vary in color from yellow through yellow with a basal reddish-brown spot, to entirely reddish-brown. Disc flowers are 200-400 in a columnar arrangement. The fruit is an achene. Mexican Hat is commonly available as seed. The seed should be planted in the autumn for spring/summer flowering. Mexican Hat can be used in a perennial bed or naturalized in a meadow or wildflower planting. The long peduncles of the flower heads make them excellent for cut flower arrangements. Remove old heads to promote re-flowering.--A. Diamond

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Not Native G5 (Global Rank)

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