Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa)

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This species blooms in early summer. It produces large single blossoms, each 6” or more across. The drooping bright yellow to yellow-orange ray flowers surround a chocolate brown bristly center on the ends of tall, lanky stems. 

Achene – small, dry one-seeded indehiscent fruit 

The smooth, dark green leaves are long and linear with linear veining. The foliage grows about 18” tall but the flower stems grow much taller, up to 36” in height.

This plant tolerates full sun to partial shade, and mid-range soil moisture; neither very wet nor very dry. It is naturally occurring in full sun in wet meadows and thickets, in floodplains, along river banks, and borders of woods.

The cone, roots, and leaves of the Yellow Coneflower were once used to ease toothaches and reduce fevers. Native Americans discovered healing properties of the coneflowers by observing the wild animals. They realized that wounded elks recuperate after consumption of coneflowers.

When crushed, its leaves emit an anise-like fragrance and were often used in teas as a flavor enhancer.

****Coneflowers are perennial plants that can survive from 5 to 6 years in the wild. If you plant some seeds this year (2022), the plant could potentially live until 2028. How old will you be in 2028? Try planting some seeds, then record the growth over time.