Continued Growth/Purple Coneflower

Day 6

Well I am quite excited, I went out to water my garden again this morning, and now there are several new sprouts that appeared, and the two that I first so have grown signigantly bigger, so things appear to be off to a good start, it is amazing how fast they all grow.

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower and its three cousins, Black Sampson (E. angustifolia), Pale Purple Coneflower (E. pallida) and E. atrorubens (no common name), are members of the sunflower family or Compositae.  The Compositae have two kinds of flowers combined in one flower head - strap-like ray flowers around the outside of the head and disk flowers in the center of the head.  The ray flowers make up what would be thought of as the petals.

A robust, drought tolerant perennial, native to the midwestern and southeastern United States. flowers are arranged individually on sturdy, elongated stems with soft lavender or purple petals surrounding an iridescent red-orange, coned center. Prefers full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained soils. Absolutely stunning!!!

Use in beds, mixed borders, or in the native wildflower patch. The long lasting flowers, borne on long, stiff stems, are perfect in cut flower arrangements and well suited for drying.

Taken orally, extracts from purple coneflower roots and leaves are reported to stimulate the immune system and increase resistance to infections. Native Americans used echinacea for many medicinal purposes. In Europe today, more than 200 pharmaceutical products are made from the extracts. Butterflies sip nectar from purple coneflowers all summer long.

8:01 AM - 6/25/2007 - post comment

For though All are not able to write books, all conceive themselves able to judge them. ~The Monk

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