Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © joshklostermann (iNaturalist #67572222)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Echinacea
- Species:
- Echinacea pallida
- USDA Symbol:
- ECPA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, pale 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
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 after fire; historically maintained by prairie fires. Fire removes competing vegetation and promotes vigor.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to prairies and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–30 days
- Notes:
- Light may improve germination. Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 65-70°F after cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds should be dry stored for 1 to 2 years and then placed into a 60 to 90 day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3 C. If unable to plant in the fall, store the seed dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees F. If seeds exhibit physiological dormancy, cold, moist stratification for 28 days at 1 to 2øC (34 to 36øF) may improve germination.
Establishment: Seeds are collected when they are easily removed from the head in August and September. They are dark grey at maturity. Field seed is not damp stratified due to clumping problems during the drilling process. If the seed has not germinated by the first week of May, there has been a problem, ie, seed not planted at the correct depth, blown away, or bad seed lot.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.