Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea
Record ID:77Naming |
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|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea |
| Common Names: | Purple Coneflower, Narrow-leaved Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson |
| Key Name: | Coneflower |
| Parts Used: | Root, leaves, flowers, seeds |
| Sister Plants: | Rudbeckia spp., Ratibida pinnata, Helianthus spp. |
| Comments: | Perennial herb vital for pollinators; thrives in prairies and gardens |
Characteristics |
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| Identifying Character: | Perennial (1-5 ft), erect hairy stem, rough lance-shaped leaves, prominent spiny central cone with purple-pink ray flowers (E. purpurea: 2-4 in; E. angustifolia: 1-2 in), daisy-like heads |
| Stem: | Erect, 1-5 ft, hairy, green to reddish |
| Leaves: | Lance-shaped, 4-8 inches, rough, dark green |
| Flowers: | Purple-pink ray flowers with spiny cone, blooming June-August (E. purpurea larger, E. angustifolia narrower) |
| Fruit: | Dry achenes, 3-4 mm, with bristly pappus |
| Taste: | Bitter (root), mild (flowers) |
| Odour: | Mild, earthy scent from flowers |
| Root: | Thick taproot (E. angustifolia deeper, E. purpurea shallower) |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.GXRiIQ3ntfXsSvO6EwR5IAHaGh%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=987fd279b274470c539a6a6c0639865d2121a16536fd254bd1716f87650dd586&ipo=images |
Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Central and eastern North America, cultivated worldwide |
| Cultivation: | Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; sow seeds in fall or spring after cold stratification (4-6 weeks at 5°C); space 12-18 inches apart; water moderately until established; tolerates drought |
| Harvest: | Roots: Fall; Flowers: Summer |
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diaphoretic |
| Medical Uses: | Used for immune support, colds, flu, infections, inflammation, and mild fever; root for tinctures, flowers for tea |
| Constituents: | Alkylamides, polysaccharides, flavonoids, essential oils |
| Solvents: | Water, alcohol (tincture) |
| Dosage: | Tincture: 1-2 mL three times daily; Infusion: 1 tsp dried root in hot water |
| Administration: | Internal: Tincture or infusion; External: Poultice for wounds |
| Formulas: | |
| Contra Indications: | May cause allergic reactions; avoid long-term use; consult healthcare provider, especially if allergic to ragweed |
| Preparation: | Cold stratify seeds 4-6 weeks at 5°C, sow 1/4 inch deep; Tincture: Steep 1 part root in 5 parts alcohol for 2-4 weeks |
| Chinese: | No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Veterinary: | Used for immune support in livestock |
| Homeopathic: | No known homeopathic use documented |
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | No |
| Pollinator: | 1 |
| Pollen: | Yes |
| Pollen Notes: | Pollen attracts bees, butterflies; some self-pollination |
| Nectar: | Yes |
| Nectar Notes: | Nectar-rich, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds; key for pollinator gardens |
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | Ornamental, erosion control, wildlife habitat |
| Culinary Uses: | Flowers edible in salads, roots rarely consumed |
| History: | Used by Native Americans for infections; popularized in 19th-century America |
| Reference: | Plants For A Future; USDA NRCS |
| URL: | https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Echinacea+purpurea |
| Share: | Private |