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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee purple coneflower)
Cressler, Alan

Echinacea tennesseensis

Echinacea tennesseensis (Beadle) Small

Tennessee Purple Coneflower

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Echinacea angustifolia var. tennesseensis

USDA Symbol: ECTE3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

One of the nation's rarest wildflowers, it was the second plant listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1979 (USFWS 1989).

 

From the Image Gallery

13 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Inflorescence: Head
Size Notes: 1.5 to 2 feet tall, spreading 1 to 1.5 feet.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TN
Native Distribution: Endemic to the Nashville, TN area.
Native Habitat: Occurs in limestone soils in cedar glade habitat.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Makes a good cut flower. also used in dried floral arrangements.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Echinacea tennesseensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Echinacea tennesseensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinacea tennesseensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-26
Research By: DEW

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