Purple Coneflower
(Echinacea purpurea)
Left: Echinacea purpurea 'Purple Coneflower' in ASMSA Garden in Fall 2024.
Above: Reference photo of blooming Echinacea purpurea 'Purple Coneflower'
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
The purple coneflower can sustain full sun to partial shade. It requires medium water usage and well-drained, sandy/richer dry soils.
Growth Habit/Description:
Echinacea purpurea, commonly called purple coneflower, is a coarse, rough-hairy, herbaceous perennial. The coneflower can group up to 4 feet in height
Bloom Season:
The coneflower will bloom anytime from April through September.
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
Yes. Echinacea purpurea blooms profusely for up to two months in mid to late summer and sometimes re-blooms in the fall.
Distribution
Habitat: You can find this coneflower in rocky, open woods, thickets, and prairies.
Native to Arkansas? Yes
Native to Garland County? Yes
Endemic to Arkansas? No
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
Yes. The purple coneflower is a host plant for the caterpillars of the silvery checkerspot butterfly which feed on the plant's foliage.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Yes. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this coneflower.
Other Interesting Facts
Origin of Name: Echinacea is derived from Greek, meaning 'spiny one', in reference to the spiny sea urchins which the ripe flower heads of species of this genus resemble. Purpurea means 'reddish-purple'.
Related Plant Species: The Echinacea pallida and Echinacea angustifolia are related to the Echinacea purpurea. Echinacea pallida has thinner leaves than Echinacea purpurea. When compared to Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia has a taproot instead of a threadlike root system.
Use For Food/Medicine:
There are no known food or medicinal uses.
References
“Echinacea purpurea.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea_purpurea
“Echinacea purpurea - Plant Finder.” Missouri Botanical Garden, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c580
“Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea.” Prairie Nursery, https://www.prairienursery.com/purple-coneflower-echinacea-purpurea.html
“Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).” Backyard Ecology, 11 June 2019, https://www.backyardecology.net/purple-coneflower
"The 3 types of echinacea: A comparison of medicinal actions." Herbal Reality, https://www.herbalreality.com/herbalism/western-herbal-medicine/3-types-echinacea-comparison-medicinal-actions/
Last edited by Riley Richardson, September 2024.