Echinacea purpurea (root)

Introduction

Introduction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea_purpurea, retrieved 02/27/2012).

Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower or Purple coneflower) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Echinacea. Its cone-shaped flowering heads are usually, but not always purple. It is native to eastern North America and present to some extent in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern and midwest United States. It is also grown as an ornamental plant, and numerous cultivars have been developed for flower quality and plant form.

This perennial flowering plant is 1.2 m tall and 0.5 m wide at maturity. Depending on the climate, it begins to bloom in late May or early July. Its individual flowers (florets) within the flower head are hermaphroditic, having both male and female organs on each flower. It is pollinated by butterflies and bees. Its habitats include dry open woods, prairies and barrens, as well as cultivated beds. Although the plant prefers loamy or sandy, well-drained soils, it is little affected by the soil's pH. Unable to grow in the shade, E. purpurea thrives in either dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought, once established.

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Macroscopic Entries

Echinacea purpurea Botanical Voucher Specimen - Alkemists Laboratories Source: Botanical Voucher Specimen Library, Alkemists Laboratories Echinacea purpurea Botanical Voucher Specimen - Alkemists Laboratories

Microscopic Entries

Oleoresin found in Echinacea purpurea root viewed under 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories