Herb Highlights: Echinacea spp.

Introduction

There are ten species of Echinacea and all are native to the plains of central and eastern North America¹.  Also known as coneflower, Echinacea is yet another herb that we know about thanks to its use by Native American tribes like Kiowa, Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Lakota. These tribes used it for various reasons from the treatment of cold symptoms to pain medication¹. 

What’s in a name?

According to the USDA, six out of ten Echinacea species native to North America are under threat or endangered in the United States. Much of this is due to the small area in which they grow. For example, Echinacea tennesseensis is native to and only grows in a small area in Tennessee. As a result, it is an endangered species at the federal level². On the other hand, wild Echinacea purpurea is under threat from excessive harvesting. For example, in Michigan, wild Echinacea purpurea is thought to be completely gone³. The other species of Echinacea have varying status throughout the plain states of the United States. In the past, some lesser-known species were mistaken for more popular varieties, which caused those lesser-known species to be over-harvested. This is why it is important to purchase cultivated Echinacea, rather than wildcrafted⁴.

Good for butterflies, good for us

A few species of Echinacea are great additions in gardens to attract butterflies, including Monarchs⁵. In fact, these species of echinacea are the same ones in dietary supplements today. Specifically, species like Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, and Echinacea pallida⁶.  For example, The Farmer’s Almanac listed Echinacea purpurea as good flower to attract and feed butterflies⁷. The other commonly used species is Echinacea angustifolia, which has a greater risk of over-harvest because it is harder to cultivate and reproduce from seed⁴.  All three species are found in products that address anxiety and cold symptoms¹.As always, please consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements. Echinacea interacts with prescription medications¹.

Sources

1 Echinacea – Wikipedia

2 Echinacea tennesseensis | USDA PLANTS

3 Echinacea purpurea | USDA PLANTS

4 Echinacea | United Plant Savers

5 Butterfly Plants: Native Host and Nectar Plants | Monarch

6 Coneflowers: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Coneflowers | Almanac

7 Plants That Attract Butterflies | The Old Farmer’s Almanac