Purple Coneflower - Echinacea

My purple coneflowers are finally blooming! I planted these last year from starts I bought at a native plant greenhouse sale. It is illegal in Missouri to dig up purple coneflowera from public lands as they are being overharvested for pharmaceutical use.

Plains Indians used the root to treat snakebites, bee stings, headaches, stomach cramps, toothaches, and sore throats. They even used it to cure distemper in horses. (Ozark Wildflowers, Don Kurz)

Thanks for checking this awesome native plant out. Go native!