Native plant that thrives in dry woods, prairies and along railroad tracks and roads. Composite flowers have a dull-gray central disk in the shape of an elongated cylinder somewhat resembling the crown of a slender sombrero. Bright yellow ray flowers up to 3″ long surround the “cone.” Long summer bloom period. Native from Ontario to South Dakota, as far south as Florida. Thrives in average to dry, well-drained, clay or sandy soil. Spreads by seed. Excellent for naturalized, meadow and butterfly gardens as well as in mass plantings.