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Wildflower of the Week—Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower, or Echinacea Purpurea, is a North American-native flowering perennial species of the Asteraceae family. This vibrant purplish-pink petaled flower has a fibrous root system, making it more easily adaptable to garden conditions, as opposed to its long, woody taproot counterparts found in other native species.
If it looks—or sounds—familiar, it's for good reason. Echinacea Purpurea is by far the most popular variety of coneflower, as well as the most commonly used species for herbal remedies. The herb's usages were documented in the National Formulary of the U.S. back in 1913.
For over 400 years, Indigenous tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Choctaw, Pawnee, Cheyenne, and Comanche have used the herb in different medicinal respects that archaeological digs have dated back to the 17th century.
External application of the herb was used to treat wounds, burns, and insect bites; while chewing of the roots relieved toothache and throat infections. Internal applications were used to treat pains, coughs, and snake bites.
It later piqued the interest of white settlers, who processed the herb into a syrup dubbed "Meyer's Blood Purifier" around 1880, and advertised the cure-all concoction as a remedy for rheumatism, neuralgia, typhoid and rattlesnake bites.
Although its popularity in the U.S. has risen and fallen over the years, Echinacea Purpurea is now sold internationally and ranks as the third most popular herbal supplement—available in many forms ranging tinctures, syrups, teas, powders, to lotions, ointments and salves.
They’re abundant all around Governors Island—find Purple Coneflowers lining the flower beds around Liggett Terrace and throughout the North and South Island Park!
Download @inaturalistorg 's Seek app to track and record the flowers you find!