Upright Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Homoeosoma electella
S14 Pyralidae, Nearctic; widespread across eastern NA including ON/QC
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena rudbeckiae, Melissodes agilis, Melissodes trinodis
S17 Ratibida pollen specialists; ranges include eastern NA (NY-PA-NJ-ME-NH-VT)
❄️ Winter Food Source: Persistent columnar seed heads (S11 Fruit/Seed Persistence=Yes) remain standing through winter, offering seeds to granivorous birds. S57 records genus-level dietary use by Plain Chachalaca (Cracidae), though this species is restricted to south Texas and not present in ON/QC. Local relevance is primarily through persistent achenes available to overwintering finches and sparrows.
S57 Plain Chachalaca genus-level record; S11 Fruit/Seed Persistence=Yes; S4 Seeds-Granivorous birds

Proximity Score: 4
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ❌ ON
Closest Direction: SW
CEC Eco-Regions: 9 – Great Plains, 9.2 – Temperate Prairies, 9.2.4 – Central Irregular Plains
Rarity Notes: Ranked SNA (Not Applicable) in both Ontario and Quebec as the species is not native to either province (VASCAN lists ON as introduced, QC not listed). Globally secure (G5). Not listed under SARA. Native range is western North America — prairies from BC/AB/SK/MB westward.
S22 G5, SNA ON; S1 ON=introduced, no QC; S26 not SARA listed
Rarity Ranks: QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON SNA – Not Applicable
Migration: Disjunct
Ecological Context: A prairie forb of dry plains, open ground, and roadsides across the Great Plains from British Columbia to Texas. Thrives on well-drained, often calcareous soils in full sun. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region, it occurs only as an introduction — S62 lists it as rare and introduced in Ottawa, while S63 records it on the Ontario side only. It is adventive eastward, spreading chiefly along railroads and disturbed corridors.
S4 prairie/plains/roadsides habitat; S29 dry plains and ravines; S7 adventive along railroads; S62 introduced Ottawa; S63 ON side only

Roles: Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Category: Analgesic, Febrifuge, Dermatological Aid, Gastrointestinal Aid, Snake Bite Remedy, Emetic, Gynecological Aid, Veterinary Aid
S28 Moerman categories; S29 Analgesic, Febrifuge
Notes: Extensively used by Plains and Southwestern Indigenous peoples. Cheyenne used decoction of leaves and stems as a wash for pain, poison ivy rash, and rattlesnake bites. Dakota used flowers for chest pains and wounds. Lakota used infusion of plant tops for headaches and stomachaches, and administered it to horses for urinary problems. Navajo (Ramah) used cold infusion for fever and as a veterinary aid. Zuni used infusion of whole plant as an emetic. Western Keres crushed leaves were rubbed on mothers' breasts for weaning.
S28 14 Moerman Drug uses across 7 nations; S29 analgesic and febrifuge

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Leaves and cylindrical flower heads were used by Dakota and Oglala peoples to make a pleasant-tasting tea-like beverage. S29 confirms tea from leaves and flower heads. S4 cites Kindscher for beverage tea from leaves. Use is limited to infusions; no culinary food use documented.
S28 Dakota/Oglala beverage; S29 tea from leaves and flower heads; S4 Kindscher beverage tea