What is "echinacea"

n. 1 (context countable English) Any of several plants, of genus ''Echinacea'', having pinkish-purple flowers. 2 (context uncountable English) A herbal medicine extracted from the roots and seeds of such plants.

Echinacea is a genus, or group of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. The Echinacea genus has nine species, which are commonly called purple coneflowers. They are found only in eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas. They have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhinos), meaning " hedgehog," due to the spiny central disk. These flowering plants and their parts have different uses. Some species are cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers. Echinacea purpurea is used in folk medicine. Two of the species, E. tennesseensis and E. laevigata, are listed in the United States as endangered species.

Species:

• Echinacea angustifolia – Narrow-leaf coneflower
• Echinacea atrorubens – Topeka purple coneflower
• Echinacea laevigata – Smooth coneflower, smooth purple coneflower
• Echinacea pallida – Pale purple coneflower
• Echinacea paradoxa – Yellow coneflower, Bush's purple coneflower
• Echinacea purpurea – Purple coneflower, eastern purple coneflower
• Echinacea sanguinea – Sanguine purple coneflower
• Echinacea serotina – Narrow-leaved purple coneflower
• Echinacea simulata – Wavyleaf purple coneflower
• Echinacea tennesseensis – Tennessee coneflower

Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service are using DNA analysis to help determine the number of Echinacea species. The DNA analysis allows researchers to reveal clear distinctions among species based on chemical differences in root metabolites. The research concluded that of the 40 genetically diverse populations of Echinacea studied, there were nine distinct species.

The Echinacea are a superorder of sea urchins. They are distinguished by the presence of a rigid test, with ten buccal plates around the mouth, and solid spines. Unlike some other sea urchins, they also possess gills. The group is a large one, with species found worldwide.

Echinacea are part of Animalia (kingdom), Echinodermata (phylum), Echinozoa (subphylum), Echinoidea (class), Euechinoidea (subclass), Carinacea (infraclass).