Using morphometric methods, the genus Echinacea has been variously delimited as consisting of nine species and four varieties, or as four species and eight subspecies. While sequenced-based phylogenetic studies failed to resolve the species relationships, a chemotaxonomic study and an AFLP analysis supports the concept of nine species, a treatment followed in the Flora of N. America[], and also here[].

Common Name: Echinacea

General Information

Echinacea purpurea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of erect, branched stems 50 - 120cm tall from a fibrous rootstock[].
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.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

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

Habitat

Dry open woods, prairies and barrens[]. Rocky, open woods, thickets, prairies, especially near waterways; at elevations from 10 - 400 metres or more[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.90 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Echinacea purpurea is very cold hardy, tolerating winter temperatures down to around -15 to -20°c[].
Prefers a sunny position, but tolerant of partial shade[, ]. Prefers a deep rich loam with plenty of leafmold[] , but tolerant of poor, dry soils[]. Established plants are somewhat drought tolerant[, , ]. Prefers a good light soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.2[].
A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[].
The plant is grown on a commercial basis as a medicinal herb[].
Yields for cultivated, dried roots of three-year-old Echinacea purpurea grown at Trout Lake, Washington, were 131 kilos per hectare (1,200 lbs/acre)[]. The maths here converting from metric to imperial weights is wrong by a factor of 10 - 1,200lb per acre is equivalent to 1,310 kilos[].
A mature two-year old Echinacea purpurea plant yields 1 kilo of fresh flowering aerial portions and 450g of fresh root per plant[].
Slugs love this plant[].

Edible Uses

Leaves[]. No more details are given.

Medicinal

Echinacea species were probably the most frequently used of the Native N. American herbal remedies. The native peoples had a very wide range of applications; using the plant as a pain reliever (including for toothache); antiinflammatory; as a treatment for coughs, colds, and sore throats; as an antidote for various forms of poisonings, including snake bite. Many of these uses have been confirmed by modern science[].
The plant is one of the most commonly used herbs in modern Western Herbalism, and its use has also been adopted by Ayurvedic medicine[]. It has been shown to have a general stimulatory effect on the immune system; is considered to be one of the most effective detoxicants; and has activity against bacterial and viral infections. It is often used for treating the circulatory, lymphatic and respiratory systems[, , , ]. In Germany over 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea[].
There has been some doubt over the ability of the body to absorb the medicinally active ingredients orally (intravenous injections being considered by some to be the only effective way to administer the plant), but recent research has demonstrated significant absorption from orally administered applications[].
This species is the most easily cultivated of the genus and so has been more generally adopted for its medicinal uses[].

The root is adaptogen, alterative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue[, , , , , ].
The roots and the whole plant possess cortisone-like, antibacterial activity, anodyne and antiinflammatory actions. They are considered particularly beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds, burns etc, []. The plant was used by N. American Indians as a universal application to treat the bites and stings of all types of insects[]. An infusion of the plant was also used to treat snakebites[].
The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[, ]. Diurnal temperature fluctuations aid germination[]. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 21 days at 25°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for the first summer. Plant them out in the late spring or early summer of the following year and give them some protection from slugs at least until they are established[].
Division in spring or autumn[]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Root cuttings, early autumn in a frame[].