Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

The echinacea or coneflower purpurea is a plant very similar to the daisy

Echinacea or Echinacea purpurea It is a plant very similar to the daisy. This species belongs to the Asteraceae family. This genus is made up of nine different echinaceae and the most popular is purple coneflower, which is scientifically known by the name of Echinacea purpurea.

They are plants that come from the United States, however and currently it is one of the plants that is most cultivated around almost the entire planet earth.

Characteristics of Echinacea purpurea

Characteristics of Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea or Echinacea purpurea, it has some flowers that are very showy and at the same time pleasing to the eye and it is precisely for the latter that this plant is very popular to decorate any type of garden.

Similarly, this plant has great medicinal benefits and that is why in almost every home we can find one.

Echinacea, is a word that comes from the Greek Echinos, which means Hedgehog and this is one of the characteristics of the flower of this plant, then Purpúrea comes from Latin, the color purple and also red-violet.

In ancient times, echinacea was one of the main medicinal plant crops of the aborigines found at that time in North America, especially the Sioux, Omaha, Poncas, and Comanches clans, among others.

These they used a liquid very similar to a porridge, which they extracted from echinacea, in addition to the roots cut into small pieces or crushed that served as a powerful medicine.

The ancient tribes, they also used this plant as a treatment for insect bites and antidote to the bites of some species of snakes.

Echinaceas purpurea are long-lasting perennial plantsThis means that at no time will they lose their lushness no matter what season of the year we are. They have thin roots that are divided into several branches to achieve the development of a stem that is strong enough, they measure approximately 1,2 meters high, while their extension can be about 45 centimeters.

It has complete leaves of a very dark green color that are oval or serrated tip much like a spear, while the leaves found on the stem are smaller. To the touch, they are rough on both sides and their edges are usually smooth or wavy. Sometimes, some may have some thorns on the stem.

Its flowers are very similar to those of a daisy. It has a very elongated membranous appendix, while its floral disk has a considerable size and also sometimes it has thorns. The membranous appendix can have several colors, such as pink, white, purple or red and all these mentioned colors represent a specific type of echinacea.

The fruit that it generates is called, angular tetracheniumBeing a plant that is very common to find in any garden, however, this plant sprouts naturally in different parts of the world.

Echinacea purpurea benefits

In some regions, Echinacea purpurea is also it is known by the name of vegetable antibioticHowever, the benefits of this plant go beyond eliminating certain microbes that damage our body.

The most used part of Echinacea purpurea is the root, however, many people also use the plant completely, due to its high content of chicoric and caffeic acids.

That of the Echinacea purpurea helps the entire immune system of the body, It is very good for fighting colds and flu as well as healing wounds.

Echinacea purpurea cultivation

Echinacea purpurea cultivation

Growing this plant is relatively simple, since it does not need great care and is that reacts very well to the light produced by the sun's rays. It is also capable of tolerating low temperatures and they develop optimally in soils that have excellent drainage.

It is extremely important to start sowing the seeds in the middle of March or April.

Before starting with the work of cultivating this plant, we can separate the soil where we are going to cultivate by layers, making a mixture of peat and sand, this is done in order to ensure that Echinacea purpurea has optimal drainage. After this we will move on to the seeds, these can be obtained in any establishment specialized in the cultivation of plants or directly from those adult plants that are already more than two years old with a healthy appearance.

We are going to put them inside the earth, but not before making sure that it is loose enough; on the other hand, the depth should not be more than twice the size of the seed.

Echinacea purpurea care

Although the Echinacea purpurea has many medicinal benefits, most of the people use it to beautify their gardens. It is important to water it moderately, as we mentioned earlier.

This plant has the ability to withstand very dry seasons, so before watering them again, it is necessary to wait a little until the soil is completely dry, because the Echinacea purpurea is very affected by excess water. If we water them with too much water, the roots of the plant are going to rot, which will cause the reproduction of some species of fungi, which in more extreme cases will end their life.

Echinacea purpurea care

Echinacea purpurea begins to bloom between June and August.

We can transplant the Echinacea purpurea in pots to protect it inside a greenhouse at least while it passes its first summer. We are going to put a layer of stones on what will be the base of the potIn this way, we will make sure to provide all the oxygen that the roots of the plant need and at the same time so that it has a better drainage.

After the spring has passed, we are going to plant our Echinacea purpurea in what will be the space where it will develop until it reaches its full maturity, we will do this in the spring time after the second year.

Pests of Echinacea purpurea

The most damaging thing for one of the Echinacea purpurea is to water them with excessive water, since this would cause their roots to rot.

However, it is very important that we always keep the area where our plant is located cleanSince slugs or snails are the most annoying pests that can cause serious damage to the plant, in addition, keeping the ground free of other kinds of herbs can help the plant to always stay healthy.


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