Echinacea

plant genus

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Echinacea is a genus of plants native to North America, commonly known as purple coneflowers. The name "Echinacea" comes from the Greek word for hedgehog, referring to the prickly appearance of the flower's disk florets.12

These plants, particularly Echinacea angustifolia and E. purpurea, are often cultivated for their ornamental value. Medicinally, the dried roots and other parts of Echinacea are used in dietary supplements and herbal remedies, believed to stimulate the immune system. The genus was introduced by botanist Conrad Moench as a revision of Linnaeus' Rudbeckia purpurea.12

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coneflower
Purple-flowered perennials of the genus Echinacea, especially E. angustifolia and E. purpurea, often are cultivated as border plants. They have strong-smelling black roots, hairy stems, and basal leaves on long leafstalks.
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Purple-flowered perennials of the genus Echinacea, especially E. angustifolia and E. purpurea, often are cultivated as border plants. They have strong-smelling black roots, hairy stems, and basal leaves on long leafstalks.
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