This perennial herb has been used in traditional medicines for hundreds of years. It was used to treat a variety of ailments, such as common colds, toothaches, and snake bites. Reaching 2-4’ tall, large terminal flower heads display an orange center cone surrounded by purple petals. Flowers persist in early summer to frost, attracting many pollinators in bloom and birds in the fall when they go to seed. A very easy-to-care-for plant in the landscape, it's popular among garden centers. Easy to grow from seed.
Range
Prairies, meadows, open woods. E. tennesseensis is a rare endemic found only in the specialized environment of the central basin’s cedar glades.
Habitat
Drought tolerant though it prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun.
Diet
