Star Seed

Petals are light purple to pink in color and are shorter and wider than those of Pale Purple Coneflower. Blooms in mid-summer and grows 1' to 2' in height. Also referred to as Narrow Leaf Purple Coneflower. Stems: Erect, 1 to several, straight or branched, stiff-hairy, especially above. Leaves: Alternate, simple, stalked below, sessile above, lanceolate to ovate, 2-12 inches long, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch wide, progressively smaller above, coarse hairy, prominently 3-veined; margins mostly entire. Inflorescences: Heads, single, terminal, long-stalked. Flowers: Bracts lanceolate, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, overlapping in 3 or 4 series; ray florets 12-20, pink to light purple, 1 to 1 1/2 inch long, 1/4 to 1/3 inch wide, drooping or spreading; disk florets 5-lobed, 1/4 to 1/3 inch long, numerous, brownish purple, interspersed among stiff, spiny-tipped, chaffy bracts; pollen grains yellow. Fruits: Achenes, small, 4-angled, tipped with crown of short-teeth, enclosing small seed.

RANGE & HABITAT: This native perennial Coneflower imitates Pale Purple Coneflower in appearance but is adapted to the Northwestern Great Plains. It tolerates lighter, rocky and drier soils, and a drier climate.

• Height Range (inches): 12 - 24
• Seeding Rate: 4 oz. / 1000 sq. ft.
• Seeds Per Pound: 115,000
• Flowering Period: June, July

USES: Black Sampson Echinacea contains pain-reducing compounds and was used by Native Americans to treat toothaches, sore throats, mumps, wounds, and burns.

COMMENTS: Echinacea is from the Greek word for "hedgehog", which is in reference to the spiny bracts of the disk flowers. The taproot can grow to 5-8 feet, allowing the plant to survive periods of drought

Click here to see the USDA Plant Guide

Image: Larry Allain @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database