Echinacea is a perennial herb, up to a metre in height, with simple rough stems, hollow near the base and thickening slightly close to the flower head. The leaves are elongated, slightly elliptical with entire margins and covered with coarse hairs and protuberances.
The purple flower is in the form of a high cone surrounded by rough hairy bracts, down turned purple ray florets and greenish tubular florets. The long tapering root is greyish-brown flecked with white.

Echinacea can be broken down into three different species:
E. purpurea, E. pallida, and E. angustifolia. Purpurea is considered more ornamental. Each variety is used to boost the immune system and ward off infections. They have been studied and proven effective against bronchitis, coughs, cold, flu, fever, infections, and sore throat.

Until the late 1930s, Echinacea angustifolia was the only species used in medical practice, until in 1939, Echinacea purpurea was introduced. E. angustifolia is now rarer than E. purpurea.

Sowing:
Sow in Late Winter to Late Spring (Feb to April) or Late Summer to Autumn (August to October)

Sow at 20-24°C (68 – 75°F), in a peaty mix. Light seems to be beneficial and so seeds should have only the lightest covering of compost over them, and the seed tray should be in the light. The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times.
Germination can start after only five days, but sometimes may require a period of cold to kick start the process. If there is no germination move to a cold area: at around 4°C (39°F) for 2-4 weeks.

Growing:
Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays to grow on. Plant out in spring into well drained soil. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out.

Cultivation:
Grow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich soil ideally in full sun although they can tolerate some shade. Cut back stems as the blooms fade to encourage further flower production

Propagation:
Propagate by seed or by division in spring or autumn (although they resent a lot of disturbance). Propagate by root cuttings from late autumn to early winter

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Arranging, Flowers Borders and Beds, Prairie Planting, Wildflower Gardens or Wildlife Gardens.

Medicinal Uses:
Echinacea is valued as a short-term stimulant to the immune system, especially as a preventative at the onset of colds and flu, or to reduce the symptoms and duration of cold and flu infections. Various species of Echinacea, including the roots of E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea, have all been found to stimulate the immune system.

Nomenclature:
The genus name is from the Greek echino, meaning "spiny", due to the spiny central disk.
Echinacea is a native of the prairies of the Western USA and is widely cultivated in Europe.