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Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NamePurple Coneflower

DescriptionPopular prairie wildflower with distinctive purple-pink petals drooping around spiky orange-brown cone. Famous as immune-boosting herbal remedy used for colds and flu. Easy-care native perennial that blooms all summer. Attracts butterflies, bees, and goldfinches. Drought tolerant once established. Excellent cut flower and dried seed heads provide winter interest.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusEchinacea

TribeHeliantheae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(pappus) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, calyx modified to pappus, 5 fused petals (ray florets purple-pink, disc florets orange-brown), 5 stamens fused into tube, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Composite flower head typical of Asteraceae

Features

Name 'Echinacea' from Greek 'echinos' (hedgehog) - spiky central cone resembles hedgehog. 9 Echinacea species, all native to North America. E. purpurea most common. Widely used in herbal medicine - studies show immune-boosting properties. Native Americans used roots for infections, wounds, snake bites
Flowers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) across, daisy-like. Purple-pink drooping petals (ray florets) surround prominent spiky orange-brown cone (disc florets). Cone 1-2 inches tall, bristly texture. Also comes in white, yellow, orange cultivars. Blooms June-September (summer through fall). Each flower lasts 2-3 weeks
Herbaceous perennial. Upright stems, rough texture. Lance-shaped leaves 3-8 inches long, dark green, coarse, toothed edges. Deep taproot makes drought tolerant. Dies back to ground in winter, regrows from crown in spring. Long-lived, low maintenance
Grows 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) tall, occasionally to 6 feet. Spread 1-2 feet. Lifespan 10+ years. Propagated from seed (blooms year 2-3), division (spring or fall), or root cuttings. Self-seeds readily. Divide every 4-5 years to maintain vigor
Native to eastern and central North America, from Rocky Mountains to Atlantic. Found in prairies, open woodlands, dry fields. Grows wild from Texas to Saskatchewan. Now cultivated worldwide. Thrives in temperate climates
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily). Tolerates wide range of soils - prefers well-drained. Drought tolerant once established (deep taproot). Low water needs. Hardy zones 3-9. Heat and humidity tolerant. Very adaptable and forgiving
Used in herbal medicine - roots, leaves, flowers contain immune-boosting compounds. Available as tea, tincture, capsules. Excellent cut flower lasting 7-10 days. Attracts butterflies (especially swallowtails), bees, hummingbirds. Goldfinches eat seeds in fall/winter. Deer and rabbit resistant
Deadhead for continuous blooms or leave seed heads for birds and winter interest. Very low maintenance - rarely needs division. Tolerates poor soil, drought, heat, humidity. Perfect for prairie gardens, meadows, borders. Symbolizes strength and health. Easy for beginners

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificEchinacea purpurea

English (Alternate)Eastern Purple Coneflower, Hedgehog Coneflower, Nakeroot, Scurvy Root, Indian head, Comb flower, Black Susans, Sampson Root

Hindiशंख फूल (Shankh Phool), शंख पुष्पी (Shank Pushpi), सर्पगंधा (Sarpagandha)

Tamilசர்பகந்தி (Sarpagandhi), நாகசுவந்தை (Nagasuvandhai), கருங்குவளை மலர் (Karunguvalai malar)

Teluguపాతాల గరుడ (Pātāla garuḍa), పాతాల గోని (Pātāla gōni), సర్పగంధ (Sarpagandha)

Malayalamകൊങ്ങിണി പൂക്കൾ (Kongini pookkal)

Kannadaಶಂಕು ಹೂವು (Shanku Hoovu), ಪರ್ಪಲ್ ಕೋನ್‌ಫ್ಲವರ್ (Purple Coneflower)

Sanskritपाटलगुरुदः (patalagurudah), सरपक्षी (sarapakshi)

Bengaliবেগুনি কোণ-ফুল (beguni kon-phul), ইচিনেশিয়া পার্পোরিয়া (Echinacea purpurea)

Frenchéchinacée pourpre, rudbeckie pourpre

Russianэхинацея пурпурная (ekhinatseya purpurnaya), эхинацея (ekhinatseya)

Spanishequinácea purpúrea

GermanPurpur-Sonnenhut, Roter Sonnenhut

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.