Asteraceae FAMILY

Echinacea purpurea

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

5/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Echinacea purpurea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of erect, branched stems 50 - 120cm tall from a fibrous rootstock[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Echinacea was one of the most important medicinal herbs used by the Native N. Americans and has become one of the most commonly used herbs in modern herbalism. The plant is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis, and is also often cultivated in order to supply the high demand. The plant is also often grown as an ornamental, there are many named varieties.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeEastern N. America - Wisconsin and Ontario, south to Texas and Florida

HabitatDry open woods, prairies and barrens[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. ]. Rocky, open woods, thickets, prairies, especially near waterways; at elevations from 10 - 400 metres or more[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].