Megan Ells-

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pupurea

Description: Long, sturdy stems with lavender petals arranged individually.

Leaves are up to 6 inches long and 3 inches across (10 to 20 petals on each

flower). Usually 2-3 feet high with rough leaves and a red-orange cone center.

Germination takes 15-30 days and occurs from June to October. Fibrous root system.

Habitat: Sunny, warm temperatures in well drained/dry soils. Can live in some shade but prefers

direct sunlight. Damp soils will shorten the life of the purple coneflower.

Complete Classification:

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Asteridae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae – Aster family
Genus Echinacea Moench – purple coneflower
Species Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench – eastern purple coneflower

Key Terms: Perennial (lives more than two years).

Aster Family – Asteraceae

Native to the northeastern region of the United States.