Dracopis

Dracopis is a monotypic genus with Dracopis amplexicaulis (clasping coneflower; syn. Rudbeckia amplexicaulis) the sole species. It is native to North America.

Dracopis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Subfamily:	Asteroideae
Tribe:	Heliantheae
Genus:	Dracopis Cass.
Species:	D. amplexicaulis
Binomial name
Dracopis amplexicaulis (Vahl) Cass.

It is an annual plant growing to 1 m tall, with simple or branched stems. The leaves are oval, 5–10 cm long and 2–4 cm broad. The flowers are produced in daisy-like inflorescences, with yellow to yellowish-purple florets. It is distinguished from the genus Rudbeckia (in which it used to be treated) by the presence of chaff subtending the ray flowers.

It is one of at least four genera in the flowering plant family Asteraceae whose members are commonly known as coneflowers; the others being Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Ratibida.

In cultivation in the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[1][2]

References

1. "RHS Plantfinder - Rudbeckia amplexicaulis". Retrieved 11 October 2018.
2. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 93. Retrieved 11 October 2018.