Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower gets its name from its spiky, cone-shaped center. Above, coneflowers grow at Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County, Md., on July 21, 2008. (Photo by Alicia Pimental/Chesapeake Bay Program)
Purple coneflower just prior to blooming. (tanakawho/Flickr)
Purple coneflower is a native perennial plant with large, lavender flowers that bloom in early summer.
Appearance
Purple coneflower has large, lavender flowers with a spiny, dome-shaped, orange or brown center. Its stems have small, rough hairs. Flowers bloom in early summer, usually in June to July. Purple coneflower grows 1 to 3 feet tall.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
After blooming, the flower’s dome-shaped center matures into a seed head. Wind, animals and other natural disturbances spread the seeds. New seedlings grow in spring.
Did You Know?
- The purple coneflower's scientific name comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog. This refers to the flower’s spiky, cone-shaped center.
- It attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
- Echinacea, drawn from the coneflower plant, is used as a popular herbal tea. Studies have shown that echinacea may help boost the immune system and fend off infections.
- There are many coneflower cultivars that come in various colors, including white, pink, red and orange.
Sources and Additional Information
- PLANTS Profile for Echinacea purpurea – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Echinacea purpurea – The University of Texas at Austin
- Eastern Purple Coneflower – Dave’s Garden
Quick Facts
Species
Native
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Habitat
Found in fields, rocky prairies and open, wooded areas. Grows in full or partial sun.
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Range
Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Status
Stable
