Also known as Prairie coneflower or Thimble-flower, Ratibida columnifera is a drought-tolerant annual to perennial variety identifiable by the black, cone-shaped heads surrounded by drooping, yellow or yellow-red flower petals. The flowers bloom from June to November and grow to 24”-36” in height. The leaves are pinnately compound with uneven division and are very thin, deeply notched, and have a stiff, hairy feel.

Mexican hat is a native flower of the Midwest plains, but has since been naturalized throughout the U.S. and large parts of Canada and Mexico.