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