Purple Coneflower, Eastern Purple coneflower, Broad-leaved purple coneflower,Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Naturalized Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(Purple coneflower, Broad-leaved purple coneflower). Identified by the large flower head ( 2 1/2 to 4" wide) with reddish purple slightly drooping rays, 1/4" to 1/3" wide, and a very bristly central disk; this plant has long stalked lower leaves that are egg shaped and anywhere from 1.5 to 5 times as long as wide. Leaves are toothed and hairy. Stalks are quite erect and can reach 5 feet in height. The genus name, Echinacea, is Greek for sea urchin, referring to the prickly central disk. Purpurea is also Greek, meaning "purple". The Pale Purple Coneflower, E. pallida, has narrower very drooping rays, long and thin leaves, and stems that are usually in a cluster.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Eastern Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench	Aster (Composite)	Upland	Early Summer to Autumn
Other names and notes	(Purple coneflower, Broad-leaved purple coneflower). Identified by the large flower head ( 2 1/2 to 4" wide) with reddish purple slightly drooping rays, 1/4" to 1/3" wide, and a very bristly central disk; this plant has long stalked lower leaves that are egg shaped and anywhere from 1.5 to 5 times as long as wide. Leaves are toothed and hairy. Stalks are quite erect and can reach 5 feet in height. The genus name, Echinacea, is Greek for sea urchin, referring to the prickly central disk. Purpurea is also Greek, meaning "purple". The Pale Purple Coneflower, E. pallida, has narrower very drooping rays, long and thin leaves, and stems that are usually in a cluster.