· the gray headed coneflower plant goes by many names—pinnate prairie coneflower, yellow coneflower, gray-headed mexican hat—and is a native north american wildflower. Also grows well in clay soil. It produces striking yellow flowers that attract pollinators and birds. Plants bloom profusely all summer. I sometimes think that if youve seen one coneflower , youve seen them all, but each species is indeed unique. It starts off gray, but as the disk florets open and bloom, it turns brown. Large yellow flower heads with drooping petals surround a brown seedhead. Grow in full to medium sun with average soil. This native wildflower grows almost statewide in prairies, glades, pastures, fencerows, and roadsides. Gray-headed coneflower is a much taller plant than the related prairie coneflower (ratibida columnifera), blooms later, and has much larger leaves. Find out its scientific name, native range, seed sowing tips, and companion plants. A somewhat rough-looking plant that features pinnately divided leaves (to 5 long) on stiff stems growing 3-5 tall. Choose this perennial for meadows and native plantings. Gray-headed coneflower is a perennial herb with one to several slender, hairy stems growing from a horizontal rootstock. Birds eat the seed if old flowers are left on the plant. Use in wildflower meadows, prairies and for erosion control. Learn how to grow and care for grayhead coneflower, a native yellow perennial that blooms for two months and attracts pollinators. Ratibida pinnata is a species of flowering plant in the family asteraceae known by the common names pinnate prairie coneflower , [2] gray-head coneflower , yellow coneflower, and prairie coneflower. Ratibida pinnata, commonly called gray headed coneflower , is a missouri native plant which typically occurs in dry woods, prairies and along railroad tracks and roads.
