Above: Gray-headed coneflower on the banks of the Marion Dunn Pond in Madison, Wisconsin. (8/11/20).
Gray-headed coneflower - Ratibida pinnata
Grows up to 1 1/2'- 4' tall with long slender stems that are slightly ridged. Gray-headed coneflower prefers full sun, dry, moderate moisture to wet areas such prairies and woods.
Gray-headed coneflowers have drooping yellow rays that are 1"- 2 1/3" long and surround a globular or oval disk. This head is initially light green or grey but later becomes brown.
The disc heads have a scent reminiscent of anise when crushed.
Blooms June - August.
Other names include: Globular coneflower, (Prairie coneflower, Grayhead coneflower, Pinnate prairie coneflower, Yellow coneflower.
Above: Gray-headed coneflower around Marion Dunn Pond in Madison Madison, Wisconsin.
For more information on Gray-headed coneflower, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Gray-headed coneflower.
Gray-headed coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Above: Gray-headed coneflower on shore of Marion Dunn Pond in Madison, Wisconsin. (7/16/21)
Above: Gray-headed coneflower in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin. (7/21/18)
Above: Bumblebee on Gray-headed coneflower in Thoreau Rain Garden in Madison, Wisconsin. (7/27/21)
Above: Gray-headed coneflower in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin. (8/20/18)
Above: Gray-headed coneflower specimen collected in Dodge County, Wisconsin on July 10, 1977.
Above: Gray-headed coneflower (Rudbeckia pinnata) illustration by James Sowerby circa 1822.