Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Ratibida columnifera (Nuttall) Wooton & Standley forma pulcherrima (A.P. de Candolle) Fernald
(Mexican Hat)
Family: Asteraceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Obeliscaria pulcherrima A.P. de Candolle
Ratibida columnifera (Nuttall) Wooton & Standley [subsp?] pulcherrima (A.P. de Candolle) Wooton & Standley
Ratibida columnifera forma pulcherrima is a distinctive flower found along many mid-elevation roadsides and in
disturbed land. It consists of purplish red rays with yellow highlights surrounding a column-shaped central disc of flowers.
It differs from Ratibida columnifera forma columnifera in which the rays are all bright yellow.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
![](ratibida_columnifera_small.jpg)
Ratibida columnifera forma pulcherrima, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., US 180N near Mangus, May 23, 2007
![](r_columnifera_small.jpg)
Ratibida columnifera forma pulcherrima, closeup of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., US 180N near Mangus, May 31, 2009
![](r_columnifera1_small.jpg)
Ratibida columnifera forma pulcherrima, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., US 180N near Mangus, May 31, 2009
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