Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea, the eastern purple coneflower, purple coneflower, or echinacea, is a North American species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to parts of eastern North America. it blooms throughout summer into autumn. Its cone-shaped flowering heads are purple. Its individual flowers (florets) within the flower head are hermaphroditic, having both male and female organs in each flower. It is often favored by pollinators like butterflies and bees. The fruit is an achene, sought after by birds. The plant prefers well-drained soils in full sun. Echinacea purpurea is grown as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It is ideal for curbs, walkways or beds. The flowers can also go into the composition of fresh bouquets. Echinacea purpurea contains alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins. Nicotiflorin is the dominant flavonoid in E. purpurea, followed by the flavonoid rutin. It has long been used for traditional medicines.