Tennessee purple coneflower

Echinacea tennesseensis · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Tennessee purple coneflower, scientifically known as Echinacea tennesseensis, is a rare perennial herb endemic to specific limestone outcrops in the Southeastern United States. Renowned for its vibrant blooms, this species shares the medicinal heritage of its relatives, traditionally valued for supporting immune health and providing potent antioxidant properties.

Family
Asteraceae
Native range
Northern America
Parts used
Flower · Leaf
Common names
Tennessee Purple-Coneflower · Tennessee Coneflower
Scientific synonyms
Echinacea Pallida Var. Tennesseensis · Echinacea Angustifolia Var. Tennesseensis · 1 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Echinacea tennesseensis

Synonyms

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Echinacea tennesseensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Echinacea.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae
Genus Echinacea

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a very specific and limited geographical range. It is found exclusively within the Southeastern United States. More precisely, its natural habitat is restricted to the state of Tennessee. Because of this narrow distribution, it is considered a localized species. This specific location defines the primary area where the plant can be discovered in the wild.

Region Area
Southeastern U.S.A. Tennessee

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Echinacea tennesseensis is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years rather than dying after a single growing season. As a perennial, the species establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive dormant periods during unfavorable environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or drought, before re-emerging to continue its growth cycle. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, supporting the development of its characteristic flowering structures in successive seasons. By persisting through multiple years, the plant can participate in long-term reproductive cycles, contributing to the stability of its population within its native habitats.

Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Echinacea tennesseensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial lifestyle rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. The plant is entirely self-supporting, showing no tendencies to act as a climber, liana, or vine, and relies on its herbaceous structure for stability.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
herb
Growth form :
forb
Parasite :
independent
Woodiness :
non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Echinacea tennesseensis has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, root, stem.

Plant parts reported in Echinacea tennesseensis
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Flower 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flower

  1. Cytokine

Leaf

  1. Cytokine

Root

  1. Cytokine

Stem

  1. Cytokine

Chemicals

Echinacea tennesseensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include IL 10, TNF alpha.

Chemicals reported in Echinacea tennesseensis
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
IL 10 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
TNF alpha 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

IL 10

  1. Cytokine

TNF alpha

  1. Cytokine

Conditions

Echinacea tennesseensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include influenza, upper respiratory infections.

Conditions investigated for Echinacea tennesseensis
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Influenza 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Upper respiratory infections 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Influenza

  1. Cytokine

Upper respiratory infections

  1. Cytokine

Preparations

Echinacea tennesseensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol tinctures.

Preparations reported for Echinacea tennesseensis
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Ethanol tinctures 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Ethanol tinctures

  1. Cytokine