coneflower

Any of three genera (, , and ). They are weedy plants in the composite family, native to North America. Some species in each genus have reflexed ray flowers. The purple-flowered perennials and are often cultivated as border plants; they have strong-smelling black roots and hairy stems. These two species, along with , are used to prepare an herbal cold and flu remedy called echinacea. species have yellow ray flowers and brownish disk flowers. Prairie coneflowers ( and ) are grown in wildflower gardens. species have yellow ray flowers and brown or black disk flowers. Black-eyed Susan (), thimble-flower (), and cutleaf coneflower () are grown as border plants.

Find more information on coneflower. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on coneflower.