Blacksamson echinacea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blacksamson echinacea
Scientific classification
Genus:	Echinacea
Species:	angustifolia
Synonyms
Brauneria angustifolia (DC.) A.Heller

Echinacea angustifolia

Echinacea angustifolia, also known as the narrow-leaved purple coneflower, is a beautiful flowering plant. It is part of the sunflower family. You can find this plant growing naturally across the Great Plains in central Canada and the central United States. It also grows in nearby areas.

This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem. It has thick, carrot-like taproots that often branch out. The plant's stems and leaves are usually quite fuzzy. Each plant grows a single flower head on a long stalk. These flower heads have 8 to 21 pink or purple 'petals' (called ray florets). They also have 80 to 250 tiny orange 'centers' (called disc florets).

Echinacea angustifolia flowers from late spring to mid-summer. It likes to grow in dry prairies and open, rocky areas. It prefers soils that are rocky or sandy-clay.

Types of Narrow-Leaved Purple Coneflower

There are two main types, or subspecies, of Echinacea angustifolia:

• Echinacea angustifolia subsp. angustifolia: This type grows in central Canada and the central United States. Its range goes from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the north. It reaches Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana in the south.
• Echinacea angustifolia subsp. strigosa: This type has a smaller range. It is found only in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.

Many Native American groups used this plant for different health reasons. They used it to help with pain, colds, and toothaches. The root contains a substance called echinacoside. This substance has weak antibiotic properties.

What Does it Look Like?

The name "Echinacea" comes from a Greek word. "Echinos" means sea urchin or hedgehog. You can see why when you look at the spiky center of the flower head!

Echinacea angustifolia usually grows to be about 10 to 50 centimeters tall.

The flower petals can be white, pink, or deep purple. They often droop downwards. The center of the flower head, where the disc florets are, can be green to reddish-brown. The leaves are dark green. They can be shaped like a long oval or an ellipse. The plant's stems are fuzzy. It also has underground stems called rhizomes.

How the Plant Grows and Lives

This plant cannot pollinate itself. It needs help from bees to reproduce. Pollination is more successful when the plants are close to each other.

Echinacea angustifolia is an herbaceous perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years and grows new flowers each year. It grows slowly. However, it is very good at surviving dry weather. This helps it live in its natural grassland home.

Health Benefits of Echinacea

Echinacea angustifolia

Echinacea angustifolia is known for its special health properties. It can help support the immune system. It may also help lower blood sugar levels. Some studies even suggest it could help stop the growth of certain cells.

The root extract of this plant is rich in phenols and flavonoids. These are substances that can increase antioxidant activity in the body. Antioxidants help protect your body from harmful substances called free radicals. A recent study confirmed that Echinacea angustifolia offers good protection against these effects.

This plant's root extract also has more alkylamides than another type, Echinacea purpurea. Alkylamides can help control the immune system. They can either calm it down or make it more active. Another important benefit of Echinacea angustifolia root extract is its ability to lower blood sugar. This is called a hypoglycemic effect. The plant also shows effects that can stop the growth of cells, especially in some types of cells.

Plants growing in colder northern areas often have denser roots. These roots tend to produce more phenols and alkylamides. This means they might have stronger health benefits.

See also

In Spanish: Equinácea de hoja estrecha para niños