Eastern Purple Coneflower

(Echinacea purpurea)

Other Names:
Echinacea, hedgehog coneflower, purple coneflower

Range:


Family:
Asteraceae – Aster family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial

Height:
Grows up to 3' high

Leaves:
Leaves are lance shaped, stiff, and hairy. Flowers with prominent cone shaped disk surrounded by pale to deep purple spreading rays. Plant flowers in June through September. Rays are about as long as the width of the disk.

Stem/Trunk:
Erect Stems

Root:
Tap Root

Flower Season:
Plant flowers in June through September

Flower Appearance:
Flowers with prominent cone shaped disk surrounded by pale to deep purple spreading rays. Rays are about as long as the width of the disk.

Seed/Fruit:
Fertilized flowers dry and produce many small seeds.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
Echinacea angustifolia (narrow leaf coneflower) can be used interchangeably.

Habitat:
Dry open woods, prairies and barrens, as well as cultivated beds. Prefers loamy or sandy, well-drained soils. Unable to grow in the shade, E. purpurea thrives in either dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought, once established.

Parts Used:
Root, Whole Plant

Uses:
Culinary Uses:
None Known

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Roots chewed or in teas used for treating snake bites, spider bites, cancers, toothaches, burns, hard to heal sores and wounds, colds, and flu. Commonly used to boost the immune system. Echinacea has also been used to alleviate cold symptoms. It is has also been shown to have anti-depressant properties in white mice.

Medicinal Actions:
Alterative, Antibiotic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Bactericidal, Immunostimulant, Lymphatic, Parasiticide, Tonic: Blood