Tennessee Purple Coneflower

Echinacea tennesseensis

Tennessee Purple Coneflower

Mason Brock (Masebrock)

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Echinacea
Species:
Echinacea tennesseensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
Orange, Purple

Native Range

United States: Tennessee

Keystone Species Ranking

Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), Lemon cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus citrinus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, calcareous soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to limestone barrens and cedar glades

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked for 24 hours in a 1mmol solution of ethephon, then placed in cold storage for four weeks. Alternatively, GA3 at 1mM concentration can be used.

Establishment: E. tennesseensis is endemic to Tennessee, growing in limestone soils in cedar glade habitat. Germination was found to be greater in light than dark according to one protocol.

Source: npn.rngr.net