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Echinacea purpurea

Species category

Flower, Weed

Common name

eastern purple coneflower

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Truncate

Size

  • Length 4–5 mm
  • Width 2–3 mm
  • Thickness 2–3 mm

Color

White

Texture

Rough

Other structures

Strong longitudinal ribs

Identification notes

PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
 ring made of several spikesSpike:
Has a strong central axis (rachis) on which flowers or spikelets are directly attached (sessile), e.g. wheatgrasses.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Synonyms

Brauneria purpurea (L.) Britton
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench var. arkansana Steyerm.
Rudbeckia purpurea L.

Echinacea purpurea. Achenes with a pappus ring made of several spikes.
Echinacea purpurea. Achenes with a pappus ring made of several spikes.