Echinos, the Greek word from which Echinacea is derived, means “hedgehog” or “sea urchin.” While this accurately captures the bristly head of this coneflower, it does little to place the plant in space and time. Echinacea is actually native to eastern America, home to neither aforementioned creature. A widely known immune booster, it is most often grown as an ornamental. It also attracts and feeds important native pollinators, making Echinacea a healer both for us and for the environment.
