Mexican Hat.
Ratibida columnaris Sunflower Family ( Asteraceae ), Mexican Hat. Also known as: Ratibida columnifera, Ratibida columnifera var. pulcherrima, Ratibida columnaris var. pulcherrima, Rudbeckia columnaris, Rudbeckia columnifera, Mexican Hats, Grey Headed Coneflower, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Red Hats, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, and Thimble flower.

We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia.

Ratibida columnifera, or Mexican Hat, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae, that is native to much of North America. It inhabits prairies, plains, roadsides, and disturbed areas from southern Canada through most of the United States to northern Mexico

A robust, drought tolerant annual to perennial variety native to the mid-west and has naturalized throughout North America. The characteristic black, cone-shaped heads are surrounded by drooping, yellow ray flowers.

There is another variety with red - yellow flowers. Both are found in Arizona.

An excellent plant for cut flower arrangements lasting 5 to 10 days. The flower resembles a colorful Mexican sombrero, hence the name, Mexican Hat.

Native Americans used the leaves for herbal tea.

Quick Notes:

Height: Up To about 24 - 36 inches tall and about 12 - 24 inches wide.

Flowers: The ray flowers droop at the base of an upright 1 to 2-inch-tall brownish cone. They have bright yellow flowers.

Flowering Time: June to November.

Seeds: The seeds are almost circular, 1/2 inch or slightly more in diameter, brown to reddish brown, flattened, irregularly angled, with a finely pitted surface.

Leaves: Leaves are very thin, deeply notched, and have a stiff, hairy feel. Pinnatedly compounded with uneven division.

Found: Native of North America & northern Mexico..

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 �C (-40 �F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 �C (-35 �F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Elevation: 800 - 6,500 Feet.

Habitat: Usually on prairies, roadsides, waste places, slopes.

Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken November 1, 2005. In Strawberry, Arizona.