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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, 1 to several, straight or branched, stiff-hairy, especially above.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, stalked below, sessile above, lanceolate to ovate, 2-12 inches long, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch wide, progressively smaller above, coarse hairy, prominently 3-veined; margins mostly entire.
- Inflorescence
- Heads, single, terminal, long-stalked.
- Flower
- Bracts lanceolate, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, overlapping in 3 or 4 series; ray florets 12-20, pink to light purple, 1 to 1 1/2 inch long, 1/4 to 1/3 inch wide, drooping or spreading; disk florets 5-lobed, 1/4 to 1/3 inch long, numerous, brownish purple, interspersed among stiff, spiny-tipped, chaffy bracts; pollen grains yellow.
- Fruit
- Achenes, small, 4-angled, tipped with crown of short-teeth, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry soils of open, rocky prairies.
- Distribution
- Throughout except southeast corner.
Practical Information
- Uses
- Black-sampson echinacea contains pain-reducing compounds and was used by Native Americans to treat toothaches, sore throats, mumps, wounds, and burns.
Additional Notes
Comments
Echinacea is from the Greek word for "hedgehog", which is in reference to the spiny bracts of the disk flowers. The taproot can grow to 5-8 feet, allowing the plant to survive periods of drought.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 6-24 inches
- Last Updated
- 2021-02-20
Color Groups
Pink, Red & Orange Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July