Tennessee Purple Coneflower
Echinacea tennesseensis
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © bertharris (iNaturalist #288764791)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Echinacea
- Species:
- Echinacea tennesseensis
- USDA Symbol:
- ECTE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
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), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Occurs in fire-maintained glade ecosystems; periodic fire helps suppress woody encroachment.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold moist stratification for 4-8 weeks to improve germination.
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * year-old seed germinated
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)