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:

General Information

Echinacea sanguinea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of erect, slender stems up to 120cm tall from a taprooted rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana

Habitat

Sandy, open, pine woods, prairies; at elevations up to 200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Echinacea pallida 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[]. Prefers an acidic, sandy soil[]. Plants can tolerate drought because they have a taproot which enables them to reach water and nutrients deeper in the ground[].
Echinacea species will often hybridize with other members of the genus growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Echinacea was traditionally used by the Native Americans for the treatment of venomous bites, rabies, toothaches, cough, sore mouth, throat, dyspepsia, colds, colic, headache, and stomach cramps [].
Sanguine purple coneflower has been shown to exhibit greater anti-inflammatory activity than narrow leaved purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), or wavyleaf purple coneflower (Echinacea simulata)[].

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[].