prairie coneflower, Ratibida columnifera

Prairie coneflower most often has rays that are entirely yellow. Plants that use red tints or spots, or even entirely red-brown rays are not unusual. The influence of garden varieties returning to the wild has probably contributed to that. A great many plants in many families have inflorescences that lengthen and bloom over a long period. Prairie coneflower adapts that strategy in an eye-catchingly different way. Originally a plant of the great plains, this coneflower has now been reported from every state except AK, DE, HI, KY, MD, ME, NH, NV, OR, VA, VT, and WA, and from AB, BC, MB, ON, and SK. Ramsey Co MN, 7/9/11.