Narrowleaf Purple Coneflower
Echinacea angustifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © dghjertaas (iNaturalist #72024408)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Echinacea
- Species:
- Echinacea angustifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- ECAN2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot following fire; historically maintained in fire-prone prairie ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open prairies and dry plains
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–30 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination. Seeds benefit from cold-moist stratification but can germinate without it if fresh.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 9 to 15 weeks cold-moist stratification
Establishment: The plant is commonly found in open rocky prairies and plains on the Great Plains, less frequent on the far-western edge; rarely existing east to central New Mexico and northwest Iowa. It is also found in the eastern half of the United states; ranging west to eastern Minnesota and Iowa.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.