Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Identification: Flowers sunflowerlike with purple-pink ray florets and a large, raised, orange-brown disk. Ray florets drooping. Stem hairy. Lower leaves broad in the center, tapering to the apex and base, and with branching venation. Leaf outer margin weakly toothed. Plant 2 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Native range from Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and east to Maryland, and southward to Florida and Texas. Now found throughout the eastern half of North America (see note below).

Habitat: The native habitat of Purple Coneflower is dry, open fields and prairies. Planted stands of Purple Coneflower are also commonly found along roadsides, in parks, and empty areas in housing developments.

Flowering period: June to October.

Comments: Purple Coneflower was formerly a moderately rare species of dry fields and prairies, but is now found much more commonly in a variety of habitats. The species is widely grown as an ornamental in gardens and as a herbal supplement and escapes cultivation into surrounding areas. In addition Purple Coneflower is a common ingredient in "wild seed" mixes spread along roadsides, in parks, and empty lots of housing developments.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Similar Species:

Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)