| The coneflower or the Herb Echinacea has caused | | | | There are two kinds of purple coneflowers, the |
| a great splash with gardeners and herbalists in the | | | | Pale Purple coneflower and the Purple coneflower. |
| past couple of years. There have been many | | | | The pale purple coneflower is 3-6 inches in |
| studies done in Germany which seems to support | | | | diameter. It is best situated in sunny sites with |
| the ideas that the coneflower does indeed boost | | | | good drainage. It is found in the Midwest and |
| the immune system. Gardeners love the Herb | | | | south to Louisiana. These three feet tall plants |
| Echinacea because of it hardiness and long | | | | start their blooming in July and will last until the |
| blooming season July through fall. Herbalists love it | | | | frost months. |
| for its medicinal qualities. The plant was named | | | | The Purple Coneflower, known for its medicinal |
| from the Greek "echinos" meaning Hedgehog. It is | | | | qualities is the most widely used of the species. |
| believed that they named it that for its sharp and | | | | Most gardeners make use of this Echinacea herb. |
| pointy flower bracts. The conical center is why it | | | | This is a big plant, three to four feet tall with large |
| is called Coneflower. In addition, gardeners love | | | | flowers about four to six inches in diameter. The |
| the fact that the Herb Echinacea attracts birds | | | | flowers are quite lovely with reddish purple petals |
| and butterflies. | | | | tipped in green. The centers are orange and there |
| There are nine species of the coneflower. All of | | | | petals will droop. They are so droopy that in the |
| them are native to North America. We will be | | | | Ozarks their name is droopy. There leaves can be |
| examining four of the species that are widely | | | | jagged or smooth and are a medium green color. |
| available. You can choose one coneflower or mix | | | | Many florists use these in their arrangements |
| it up with two or three to make it more | | | | because of their durable stalks. |
| interesting. | | | | The Herb Echinacea was revered by the Native |
| For a smaller coneflower (10 to 24 inches) choose | | | | Americans and in Montana they are alarmed that |
| the Black Sampson variety. The plant grows from | | | | it is being over harvested. They used the |
| the Canadian border south, all the way to Texas. | | | | coneflower to treat health problems like |
| The stems of this plant are hairy, with narrow | | | | respiratory infections and snakebites. In the 19th |
| leaves and rose pink flowers. This is the smallest | | | | century Echinacea was use to purify blood. It was |
| of the Echinacea species. The flowers are 2 | | | | also used to treat dizziness. In the next century, |
| ½ to 3 inches in diameter when in full bloom. | | | | before the use of antibiotics, it was used to treat |
| The research on the Herb Echinacea suggests | | | | colds and flu. Now it is popular in treating upper |
| that the medicinal qualities of the Echinacea are in | | | | respiratory illness. It is becoming increasing popular |
| the roots. Unfortunately, mass collection of the | | | | in reducing itch and to soothe the skin. |
| Black Sampson has endangered it. | | | | If using the Herb Echinacea for medicinal purposes |
| Tennessee Coneflower is also on the endangered | | | | it is best used in its fresh state. The plant must |
| list. This coneflower only grows in central | | | | grow for three years before the roots become |
| Tennessee and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency | | | | beneficial. If you are buying the Herb Echinacea |
| licenses the nurseries planning on selling this | | | | from a health food store, chew a small piece first. |
| species. This Herb Echinacea will grow two or 3 | | | | If it does not numb your tongue and you don't |
| feet.. The leaves are a darkish green with flowers | | | | produce more saliva, the roots are either too old |
| that are a deep pink with green centers and | | | | or improperly dried. It is not healthy to ingest |
| upturned petals. | | | | Echinacea over a long period of time. Give your |
| As noted above, the nurseries must be licensed, | | | | immune system a break so you do not build up a |
| so look to the internet for sources. | | | | tolerance for Echinacea. |