Echinacea purpurea, known for its cheerful summer flowers, is an easy to grow perennial although animals sometimes like to eat it. It is at times easily recognized, and much cherished.
For being called Echinacea purpurea, this plant of God’s crayons is actually full of color variety. Its wild form has petals typically reddish-purple, that can occasionally be almost white. The centers are dark reddish-brown, with bracts that are often bright orange-red. Varieties can include crimson, and more.
E. purpurea is made into teas with medicinal values for colds. It is also sold in pill form.
Sources:
The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture, 1981
