prairie wildflower
Yellow coneflower
Echinacea paradoxa
1 of 2Native to Arkansas and Missouri
South-central Missouri and north-central Arkansas
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for partial shade. Its yellow flowers peak in May. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Yellow coneflower's yellow flowers bloom May to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and butterflies.
Yellow coneflower blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Ligated Furrow Bee, Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee
- Butterflies Monarch also Great Spangled Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary, Silvery Checkerspot
- Beetles Sutured Longhorn Beetle
- Also visited by
- Flower flies: Transverse-banded Flower Fly
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Great spangled fritillarynectar
- Monarch butterflynectar
- Silvery checkerspotnectar
- Variegated fritillarynectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arkansas and MissouriUnited States (2): AR, MO. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- South-central Missouri and north-central ArkansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Soil
- Average, slightly basic soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- AcheneThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.