Mexican hat is readily recognized by its long cylinder heads, with their drooping, yellow ray florets that are borne on elongated pedicles above the foliage. It is distributed in the Great Plains and tall grass prairies from Alberta Canada, western Arkansas, to New Mexico. Oklahoma populations are encountered across the state in abundance in the central half in clay loam and sandy soils. Achenes are eaten by wild turkeys and when abundant, they provide cover for bobwhite quail. This species is also a popular ornamental.
