Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower

General

A perennial herb native to North America. It is characterized by its striking pink-purple daisy-like flowers with prominent, spiky orange-brown centers. Widely celebrated for its medicinal properties, Echinacea purpurea is believed to boost immune function and is often used in herbal remedies and supplements. Will attract bees, butterflies, and goldfinch.

Plant Description

Displays vibrant pink-purple petals surrounding a distinctive spiky orange-brown cone in its center. The flowers sit atop sturdy, upright stems that can reach up to several feet in height. Its overall appearance is both bold and elegant, making it a popular choice in gardens and natural landscapes alike.

 

Height (ft)
2-3'

Soil moisture
Dry to Medium

Soil types
Fertile loam

Shade tolerance
Intermediate, Full Sun to Partial Shade, prefers full sun

Bloom color
Purple

Bloom period
June - September

Drought tolerance
Low

Salinity tolerance
Low

 

Range

Sparsely distributed throughout the eastern United States, mostly between the Appalachians and the Great Plains.

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information

According to USDA NRCS East Texas Plant Materials Center, this species was one of the most important plants used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. This species was used to treat toothaches, pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, sore throats, colds as well as an antidote for poisonous snake bites and to treat infections.

In modern medicine, this species is used as an immune system booster and to treat bacterial/viral infections. Chemical compounds extracted from this plant have shown inhibitory effects in some cancers.