Ratibida columnifera
(Nutt.) Wooton & Standl.
Prairie coneflower, Mexican hat
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Summary
Source: WikipediaRatibida columnifera, commonly known as upright prairie coneflower, rocketflower, Mexican hat, and longhead prairie coneflower, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the genus Ratibida in the family Asteraceae. It is native to much of North America and inhabits prairies, plains, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
Description
A daisy family plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60 cm high and spreads 45 cm wide. The leaves are alternate and deeply divided into narrow segments. They are 5-10 cm long. The flowers are yellow disks. The flowers heads occur as several together in cone like disks. They are 1-5 cm high. The fruit is a grey-black flattened achene.
Edible Uses
A pleasant-tasting tea is made from the leaves and flower heads.
Traditional Uses
The leaves and flower heads are brewed into tea.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves and stems are analgesic. An infusion is used to relieve headache pain and to treat stomach aches and fevers. A decoction is used as a wash to relieve pain and treat poison ivy rash, and also as a wash to draw poison from a rattlesnake bite.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in the prairie region of the USA. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Where It Grows
Argentina, Australia, Mexico, North America*, Slovenia, South America, USA,
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in early spring, just barely covering it, in a sunny position. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out in early summer. Division in spring is possible but very difficult due to the plant's long taproot.
Other Uses
None known
Notes
There are 5 Ratibida species.
Synonyms
References (11)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 19:706. 1915
- Cormack, R. G. H., 1967, Wild Flowers of Alberta. Commercial Printers Edmonton, Canada. p 390
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1133
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 41
Show all 11 references Hide references
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 245 (Ratibida columnifera)
- http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
- https://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/category/edible-plants/ Edible Plants – Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants
- Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1762
- Lim, T. K., Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants Volume 7 Flowers
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 469
