Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, has bright purple petals that look like little umbrellas! Bees and butterflies love to visit them in gardens.

Habitat: Open fields and gardens

Appearance

The Echinacea has large, daisy-like flowers with distinctive cone-shaped centers and prominent, often purple or pink ray petals that droop downwards slightly. Its sturdy, upright stems support vibrant blooms.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusEchinacea

Echinacea

Interesting facts

Butterflies and bees absolutely LOVE its sweet nectar!

Echinacea's name comes from Greek for 'hedgehog' because of its prickly middle!

Its spiky center feels like a tiny hedgehog's back!

Some Native American tribes used it for hundreds of years as traditional medicine!

Special abilities

Echinacea produces special compounds that support the immune system, helping animals and humans fight off illness.

Echinacea displays bright petals and a nectar-rich cone, which acts like a glowing landing strip for insects.

Echinacea develops deep taproots that allow it to reach water, helping it survive long dry spells.

Measurements & details

Height: 60-120 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 7-15 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to fall
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Sips nectar, spreading pollen.

pollinates

Two-spotted Bumblebee

Bombus bimaculatus

Buzzes flowers for nectar.

eats

Japanese Beetle

Popillia japonica

Chews on petals and leaves.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Medicinal

Discover special plants that people have used for centuries to help them feel better or stay healthy, often found in nature's own medicine cabinet.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.