General Description/History

This is the same plant that the pills come from that some of us take to prevent and ease the symptoms of colds and the ‘flu. The flowers are quite striking, with bright orange rounded flower centres surrounded by purple-pink petals that reflex back as they age. The flowers do resemble a cone when the petals reflex back, hence the common name.

Echinacea is native to the eastern states of the USA and has long been used as an herbal remedy. They are sometimes sold with the petals removed, as they last much longer this way.

Echinacea are grown in plantations. Most are grown in Victoria or NSW

What to look for

• Buy when the flowers are open, and the petals are starting to reflex back.
• Avoid bunches in bud or with yellow leaves.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash thoroughly.
3. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately.
4. Always use a preservative as this will help keep open flowers looking fresh.
5. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every 2 to 3 days.
6. Strip petals off as they start to fade.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

Although Echinacea extracts are a popular remedy for the common cold, the latest studies have shown that it is not effective at preventing colds, and has a mild effect at alleviating cold symptoms.

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea

Common Names: Purple Coneflower

Stem Length: 30 – 60 cm

Country of Origin: North America

Available Colours: Orange, Pink, Purple

Season: Winter,Spring

Availability: August,September,October