General Description: This plant is 1.5-3.5ft (50-100cm) tall and arises from a thick fleshy root. The basal leaves are much longer than wide, coarsely toothed, smooth above and beneath, 3-5in (8-13cm) long, 1-3in (3-8cm) wide, and are attached by long slender petioles. The stem leaves are alternate, similar in shape to the basal leaves but smaller, and with shorter petioles. The single flower head is terminal and has two kinds of small flowers, ray and disk. The one petal of each ray flower is deep to pale pink, toothed at the tip, 2-3in (5-8cm) long, and drooping. The disk flowers are purple and about 0.3in (1cm) long. The fruit is an achene (nutlet). Flowering is from May through July with fruiting in late summer.

General Habitat: Found in meadows and open woodlands on basic or circumneutral soils, often with eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). House construction has reduced the coneflower population. Over-utilization due to aesthetic and possible medicinal qualities also poses a threat.

                                                          Flowering and fruiting chart