Search
- Home
- Profiles
- Black, Liz
- articles
- Purple Coneflower
Common name: Purple Coneflower
Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea
The purple coneflower is a native plant that grows in eastern and central North America. It is an herbaceous perennial meaning that it will come back each year and it does not form woody tissue. This plant is hardy and can grow in various soil conditions. It had been used historically to treat various ailments for many people groups and as a food source for wildlife. The leaves are course ovate to broad-lanceolate, and dark green. Flowers up to 3 inches wide sit atop tall stems. Four species of Echinacea are native to Louisiana.
Native Region: central and eastern region of North America
Benefits: wildlife food source, attracts pollinators, easy to grow, native, used to make tea, wildflower garden
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Type: Herbaceous, deciduous
Bloom Period: late spring, summer
Propagation Information: Plants will reseed itself. Seeds can be collected from the dried flower stalk.
Size: up to 3.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide
Purple coneflowers at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center.
Pinkish-purple blooms of purple coneflower can be seen during the summer months at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture