Ratibida consists of biennial or perennial plants characterized by upright stems that emerge from woody crowns. The inflorescences feature vibrant outer ray florets surrounding a prominent central cluster of disc florets, which transition from green to brown.

Ratibida

Ratibida columnifera is a clump-forming perennial that reaches heights of up to 80 cm. It features finely divided, feathery foliage. From early summer through early autumn, it produces slender, branching stems that support daisy-like flower heads measuring up to 8 cm in diameter. The flower heads consist of drooping ray florets that can be red, yellow, or a combination of both, surrounding a prominent, column-shaped cone.

Ratibida columnifera

Ratibida columnifera 'Cheyenne Yellow'

Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima is a perennial plant that can reach heights of up to 30 cm. It is occasionally cultivated as an annual or biennial. The plant features slender, divided leaves that are hairy and have a greyish-green hue. From summer through autumn, it produces flowers resembling daisies, characterized by downward-curving red-brown petals that may have a yellow border. The flowers also possess an elongated, cylindrical central structure that begins as pale green and matures to a red-brown color.

Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima

A vertical perennial that reaches heights of up to 30 cm, this plant can also be cultivated as an annual or biennial. It features slender, divided leaves that are covered in fine hairs and exhibit a greyish-green hue. From summer through autumn, it produces daisy-like blooms characterized by downward-facing petals that are brownish-red with a yellow margin. The central structure is cylindrical, beginning as pale green and maturing to a red-brown shade.

Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima 'Red Midget'

Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima 'Red Midnight'

Ratibida columnifera red-flowered

Ratibida mexicana

This perennial plant, known as Ratibida pinnata, grows upright with sturdy, branching stems, reaching heights of up to 1.2 meters. Its leaves are rough and deeply lobed, exhibiting a pinnate structure. From summer through autumn, it produces elongated flowerheads resembling daisies, measuring up to 12 centimeters in diameter. The flowers feature bright yellow ray florets that droop gracefully, surrounding a distinct red-brown central cone.