#39 Echinacea purpurea Common Names: purple coneflower Family: Asteraceae/Compositae (aster/daisy Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #39

Click to download a large version (800x600) of this butterfly's eye view of a purple coneflower.

Location
Native to North America, from Ohio to Iowa and south to Louisiana and Georgia, where it was a part of the original prairie community.

Culture
In some areas, Japanese beetles can be a problem; otherwise diseases and pests are nonexistent.
Light: Does best in full sun, but will tolerate partial sun.
Moisture: Drought tolerant.
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3 - 9.
Propagation: By seeds or division of roots.

A clump of the undemanding and rugged purple coneflower provides an attractive display all summer long.

Usage
Use in beds, mixed borders, or in the native wildflower patch. The long lasting flowers, borne on long, stiff stems, are perfect in cut flower arrangements and well suited for drying.

Features
Taken orally, extracts from purple coneflower roots and leaves are reported to stimulate the immune system and increase resistance to infections. Native Americans used echinacea for many medicinal purposes. In Europe today, more than 200 pharmaceutical products are made from the extracts. Butterflies sip nectar from purple coneflowers all summer long.

Steve Christman 08/18/97; updated 9/19/03, 7/9/04

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