This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves[1]. No more details are given.

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Echinacea purpurea.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Echinacea is considered to be the most effective detoxicant in Western herbal medicine for the circulatory, lymphatic and respiratory systems[2][3]. Its use has also been adopted by Ayurvedic medicine[2].

Plants in this genus were probably the most frequently used of N. American Indian herbal remedies. They had a very wide range of applications and many of these uses have been confirmed by modern science. This species is the most easily cultivated of the genus and so has been more generally adopted for its medicinal uses[2]. The plant has a general stimulatory effect on the immune system and is widely used in modern herbal treatments[4]. In Germany over 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea[4]. There has been some doubt over the ability of the body to absorb the medicinally active ingredients orally (intravenous injections being considered the only effective way to administer the plant), but recent research has demonstrated significant absorption from orally administered applications[4]. The roots and the whole plant are considered particularly beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds, burns etc, possessing cortisone-like and antibacterial activity[4]. The plant was used by N. American Indians as a universal application to treat the bites and stings of all types of insects[5]. An infusion of the plant was also used to treat snakebites[5].

The root is adaptogen, alterative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue[6][7][8][1][9][5]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[2].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[175, K]. Diurnal temperature fluctuations aid germination[10]. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 21 days at 25°c[10]. 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[K].

Division in spring or autumn[11]. 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, October in a frame[12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Echinacea purpurea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep rich loam with plenty of leafmold[13] and a sunny position[10]. Succeeds in dry soils and tolerates drought once it is established[1]. Prefers a good light soil[14].

A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[14].

Slugs love this plant[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Echinacea purpurea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Echinacea purpurea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Echinacea purpurea
Genus
Echinacea
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. (1991-00-00)
  11. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  15. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

"image:Echinacea purpurea flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Facts about "Echinacea purpurea"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusEchinacea +
Has binomial nameEchinacea purpurea +
Has common nameEchinacea +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageEchinacea purpurea flower.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height1.2 +
Has mature width0.5 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAdaptogen +, Alterative +, Antiseptic +, Aphrodisiac +, Depurative +, Digestive + and Sialagogue +
Has primary imageEchinacea purpurea flower.jpg +
Has search nameechinacea purpurea + and echinacea +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameEchinacea purpurea +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea +, Echinacea purpurea + and Echinacea purpurea +