Pale Purple Coneflower

A member of the sunflower or composite
family (Asteraceae). Pale coneflower is a native,
perennial forb with a large (2.54 centimeter) (cm)
chocolate brown to black taproot with few to little
branching that will penetrate into the soil for 2 to 3
meters (m). The stems (1.2 m) are
erect, one to several, simple to rarely branched with
most of the leaves being basal in nature. The leaves
are alternate, simple, rough on both surfaces, and up
to 25 cm in length and 2.5 to 4.0 cm in width. Basal
leaves have entire margins, are three nerved and
petiolate, upper leaves are reduced in size with sessile
attachment to the stem. Inflorescence is a head that is
solitary at the top of the stem. Pale pink, drooping
petal-like ray florets surround the domed, reddishbrown
center of disk florets that are rough and
prickly to the touch. The pale coneflower blooms in
late spring to mid summer. The fruits are small (4-5
millimeter) (mm) elongated, tan achenes that develop
in the seed head. The achenes may remain in the
heads for many weeks after they mature. The name
“Echinacea” (from Greek) means hedgehog
comparing the spiny animal to the sharp spiny bracts
of the inflorescence. “Pale” and pallida generally
refer to the coloration of the ray flowers.