Echinacea pallida Cone Flower PFAF Plant Database

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Echinacea pallida - (Nutt.)Nutt.

Common Name

Cone Flower

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Synonyms

Brauneria pallida. Rudbeckia pallida.

Known Hazards

Possible suppression of immunity with habitual use. High doses over 1000 mg may cause dizziness. Use of herb for 10-14 days recommended followed by a short break.

Habitats

Dry soils[235] on prairies and barrens[43]. Sandy open woods and prairies in Texas[274].

Range

N. America - Michigan to Nebraska and south to Texas.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Echinacea pallida is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Adaptogen; Alterative; Antiseptic; Appetizer; Depurative; Diaphoretic; Digestive; Sialagogue.

Plants in this genus were probably the most frequently used of N. American Indian herbal remedies, though this species is considered to be less active than E. angustifolia[222]. They had a very wide range of applications and many of these uses have been confirmed by modern science. The plant has a general stimulatory effect on the immune system and is widely used in modern herbal treatments[222]. There has been some doubt over the ability of the body to absorb the medicinally active ingredients orally (intravenous injections being considered the only effective way to administer the plant), but recent research has demonstrated significant absorption from orally administered applications[222]. In Germany over 200 pharmaceutical preparations are made from Echinacea[222]. The roots and the whole plant are considered particularly beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds, burns etc, possessing cortisone-like and antibacterial activity[222]. The plant was used by N. American Indians as a universal application to treat the bites and stings of all types of insects[213]. An infusion of the plant was also used to treat snakebites[213]. The plant is adaptogen, alterative, antiseptic, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue[4, 21, 61, 165, 213]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Echinacea for common cold, cough and bronchitis, fevers and cold, urinary tract infections, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, increase resistance to infection, wounds and burns (see [302] for critics of commission E).

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[111] but prefers a deep rich loam with plenty of leafmold[1] and a sunny position[175]. Slugs love this plant[K].

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[175, K]. Diurnal temperature fluctuations aid germination[175]. The seed usually germinates in 10 - 21 days at 25°c[175]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for the first summer. Plant them out in the late spring or early summer of the following year and give them some protection from slugs at least until they are established[K]. Division in spring or autumn[111]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Root cuttings, October in a frame[200].

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Expert comment

Author
(Nutt.)Nutt.

Botanical References
43200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[21]Lust. J. The Herb Book.

Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[43]Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany.

A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[111]Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials.

A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[165]Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

An excellent small herbal.

[175]Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed')

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[213]Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food.

A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.

[222]Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

[235]Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada

Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[274]Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas

An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.

[302]From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Commission E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_E

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