Echinacea
ExplorePlants
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
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
9
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
Ability
Immune Booster
Echinacea produces special compounds that support the immune system, helping animals and humans fight off illness.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Echinacea displays bright petals and a nectar-rich cone, which acts like a glowing landing strip for insects.
Ability
Drought Warrior
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
- 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
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
ConeflowerEastern Purple ConeflowerPurple Coneflower
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Echinacea?
The easiest way to identify Echinacea is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Echinacea?
60-120 cm
How wide does Echinacea spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Echinacea?
7-15 cm
When does Echinacea bloom?
Summer to fall
Is Echinacea edible?
Yes
Is Echinacea toxic?
None
What is Echinacea's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Jun 5, 2026
Georgia Institute of Technology Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) novvictan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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