This description provides characteristics that may be relevant to fire ecology, and is not meant for identification. Keys for identification are available [8,30,45,54,70].
Purple coneflower is a native, warm season perennial forb that can reach heights of 2.5 feet (76 cm). Seed heads are found on 2 to 5 stems which project 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm) above the leaves [54]. Purple coneflower supports alternate leaves which are oblong to lance-shaped with 3 to 5 nerves [59]. Basal leaves are 2.0 to 10.6 inches (5-27 cm) in length and 0.4 to 1.6 inches (1-4 cm) wide. Lower cauline leaves are 1.6 to 5.9 inches (4-15 cm) in length and 0.2 to 1.5 inches (0.5-3.8 cm) wide. Upper cauline leaves lack a petiole and are 0.6 to 1.2 inches (1.5-3 cm) high and 0.6 to 1.0 inches (1.5-2.5 cm) wide [70]. Short, stiff hairs encompass both the leaves and stems of purple coneflower [54]. Flowers are 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long and 0.16 to 0.20 inch (4-5 mm) wide [59].
Plants located in the high plains of Texas and north into Canada are characterized by low heights and flowers that are equal in length or shorter than the width of the disk. As you travel eastward in its range, purple coneflower becomes progressively taller with longer rays [70].
Purple coneflower has a very fragile tap root [7] which is "large" [54] and extends 4.7 to 6.5 feet (1.5-2 m) into the soil [8]. During times of water stress, root growth is emphasized over foliar development and signs of chlorosis may be evident [32]. In a greenhouse study, it was found that purple coneflower responds favorably to the presence of mycorrhizae, experiencing a significant (P≤0.001) increase in mean dry mass weight [111].
Three populations of purple coneflower tested for allelopathic properties in a greenhouse setting displayed adverse effects on 2 potential competitors (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)) [105]. Further studies are needed to determine allelopathic properties of purple coneflower in a field setting.
Fire adaptations: A study conducted by Wagenius and Shaw [108] found that the percentage of purple coneflower seeds developing into seedlings after a spring burn was 37% that of seeds which were not burned. Other studies have documented the return of purple coneflower populations after prescribed fires [44,73]. Although the ages were not determined, purple coneflower seeds were identified in the top 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of soils after a 7-year drought, suggesting the ability to seed bank [67]. Purple coneflower has been observed sprouting after commercial harvest of the top 6 to 10 inches (15.2-25.4 cm) of root material (Kindscher, personal communication [60]). Whether or not this indicates it can sprout after other types of disturbances, such as fire, is not known. Further research is needed to identify the existence or absence of fire adaptations in purple coneflower.
FIRE REGIMES: The following table provides fire return intervals for plant communities and ecosystems where purple coneflower is important. Find further fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find FIRE REGIMES".
Community or Ecosystem Dominant Species Fire Return Interval Range (years) bluestem prairie Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii-Schizachyrium scoparium 61,79] plains grasslands Bouteloua spp. 79,113] blue grama-needle-and-thread grass-western wheatgrass Bouteloua gracilis-Hesperostipa comata-Pascopyrum smithii 79,86,113] blue grama-buffalo grass Bouteloua gracilis-Buchloe dactyloides 79,113] cedar glades Juniperus virginiana 3-22 [46,79] wheatgrass plains grasslands Pascopyrum smithii 79,83,113] interior ponderosa pine* Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum 2-30 [5,6,66] oak-hickory Quercus-Carya spp. < 35 post oak-blackjack oak Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica 106] little bluestem-grama prairie Schizachyrium scoparium-Bouteloua spp. 79] *fire return interval varies widely; trends in variation are noted in the species reviewPurple coneflower is most often associated with the Great Plains region [2,16]. It grows primarily in open, rocky prairies and plains [45], but also occurs in drainages and depressions [28]. It has been found in scattered and open ponderosa pine stands [102], cedar glades [11], and along fenced roadsides devoid of grazing pressures [33].
Climate: Purple coneflower occurs on mesic sites [28] with average annual precipitation ranging from a low of 15.9 inches (404 mm) in southeastern North Dakota [25] to a high of 40.0 inches (1,016 mm) in central Texas [2]. A gauging station in southeastern North Dakota recorded an average temperature of 41.1 °F (5.1 °C) with low and high temperatures of 6.3 °F (14.3 °C) and 71.2 °F (21.8 °C), respectively [77].
Soils: Purple coneflower tolerates a variety of soil types throughout its range.
State Soil description Kansas alkaline soils [65]Purple coneflower is utilized for forage by both livestock [54] and wildlife [63].
Palatability/nutritional value: Purple coneflower is utilized by livestock and provides nutritious forage where available. In Montana, it is considered a warm season, high-producing plant that is palatable to grazing animals, but subject to population declines under heavy grazing pressures [63]. In Kansas, populations are drastically reduced in grazed areas but continue to do well along fenced roadside borders [33]. On test plots in southern Minnesota, purple coneflower was found to be undesirable as browse for white-tailed deer, eastern cottontails, and ground squirrels [36]. Mature plants are inedible to cattle [89].
Purple coneflower has been successfully added to the feed of undernourished cows and horses in order to stimulate appetite [59].
Cover value: In the Loess Hill prairies of western Iowa, purple coneflower occurs in the prairie-obligate skipper butterfly's habitat [90].
Purple coneflower is found throughout a range of habitat types, predominantly in the Great Plains region.
It is not recognized as a dominant species, but can be found with the following associates:
Grasses: Purple coneflower is frequently associated with the following graminoid species: little bluestem
(Schizachyrium scoparium), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii),
indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis),
sideoats grama (B. curtipendula), needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), and
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) [2,4,11,17,18,19,21,23,28,32,39,48,67,69,73,75,77,80,81,85,89,98,100,102,104,114].
Shrubs and forbs: In Nebraska, species commonly found with purple coneflower include flowering spurge
(Euphorbia corollata), downy phlox (Phlox pilosa), wholeleaf rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium),
and white prairieclover (Dalea candida) [17]. In Kansas, it can be found alongside prairie bundleflower
(Desmanthus illinoensis), compassplant (S. laciniatum) [33], dotted blazing star
(Liatris punctata), and desert princesplume (Stanleya pinnata) [65]. In
North Dakota, it occurs with western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis),
heath aster (Aster ericoides var. ericoides), Louisiana sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana) [28],
western yarrow (Achillea millefolium), sagewort wormwood (Artemisia campestris), and scarlet beeblossom
(Gaura coccinea) [16].
Trees: Purple coneflower has been observed in scattered and open interior
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum)
stands in Nebraska [102] and sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii)
communities in Oklahoma [18]. In Illinois, purple coneflower was present
near a forest of post oak (Q. stellata), chinquapin oak (Q.
muehlenbergii), and eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana),
populating the area after tree removal and prescribed fire [73].
Biological:
Wild and commercially-grown populations of purple coneflower are subject to interference from
nonnative plants and a variety of diseases. Wild populations in the oak savannahs of southeastern
Kansas were reduced after an invasion of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) [34]. In
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in southwestern North Dakota, purple coneflower was eliminated
by an infestation of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) [24]. In Alberta, commercial populations
have been infested with aster yellows [26], sclerotinia blight (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)
[109], sclerotinia stem rot and botrytis blight [27].
Extracts from purple coneflower plants have been used to manage populations of both grain beetles
[74] and yellow mealworms [53].
Pale echinacea (Echinacea pallida) has been shown to be highly aggressive
and can outcompete purple coneflower whose dry weight and leaf area are considerably less [96].
Commercial Harvest:
There are potential harvesting pressures on natural stocks of purple coneflower with renewed
interest in its use as a medicinal plant [59]. Commercial production of purple coneflower is
discussed in [7,20,29,50,52,82,110].
Medicinal: Various Native American tribes harvest purple coneflower for a wide range of applications. It is often used in the treatment of snakebite wounds [3,37,40,54,59,87] in addition to oral ailments [37,40,54,59] and various infections [35]. Purple coneflower has both antibiotic and antiviral attributes [1] and can be used to augment immune systems [74].
Given the chemical heterogeneity and lack of standardized procedures for preparation, health care researchers have found it difficult to assess the effectiveness of purple coneflower [71]. Adverse effects stemming from the use of various Echinacea species have been reported to the US Food and Drug Administration [101], and the importance of standardizing preparation methods has been addressed [12].
Earliest first bloom
Latest first bloom
Median date of full flowering
Median date when 95% of flowering complete
Length of flowering period (days)
June 20th
July 12th
July 11th
August 2nd
27
Purple coneflower was thought to reproduce exclusively by seed [10]; however, 15-25% of plants will sprout after removal of the top 6 to 8 inches (15.2-20.3 cm) of root material during cultivation (Kindscher, personal communication [60]).
Breeding system: No additional information is available on this topic.
Pollination: Purple coneflower is pollinated by insects [9]. Availability of pollen is determined by population size. Isolated plants experience greater pollen limitation [107].
Seed production: Purple coneflower relies on seed production to regenerate [76]. Plants begin to produce seed after 1 year of growth [29], with seed yield correlated to pollen availability [107]. In Kansas purple coneflower was the only forb that continued to produce seed in the 3 years following a 7-year drought [22].
Seed dispersal: Purple coneflower disperses its seed gradually from early fall to early summer [32]. Due to the lack of any specialized mechanism for seed dispersal, it is improbable that purple coneflower would colonize habitats distant from a seed source [76].
Seed banking: In a study intended to determine regeneration of plants after 7 years of drought in Hays, Kansas, viable purple coneflower seeds were found in the top 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of soil [67].
Germination: Purple coneflower seeds germinate on the surface of warm, moist soils at temperatures of 68 °F (20 °C) and above during spring months [32] before they are fully afterripened [10]. The seed has a corky covering that, when removed, allows for increased rates of germination. Thirteen percent of seeds with the covering germinated in 5 to 11 days and 92% of seeds without the covering germinated in 2 to 9 days [97].
Purple coneflower's need for stratification is unclear. In a study conducted by Baskin and others [10], 12 weeks of cold stratification were considered essential for seeds to overcome dormancy. In a separate study, it was determined that purple coneflower had low germination rates that were not improved by stratification or presowing treatments [93]. In Montana, purple coneflower seeds 3 months to 3 years of age germinated in high numbers regardless of stratification [32]. By placing seeds on a moist filter paper substrate in the dark and setting a constant temperature of 70 °F (21 °C), Owens and Call [78] observed a germination rate of 92% in 9 days for purple coneflower. When subjected to various thermoperiods and light/dark conditions, purple coneflower seeds displayed a variety of germination rates [10]. By allowing germination to occur in a greenhouse with the use of light, Smith-Jochum and Albrecht [95] found an increase in rates when compared with field germination.
Various treatments have exhibited positive effects on germination rates of purple coneflower. Gao and others found that treating seeds with 5.3M of KOH for 10 minutes increased germination from 30% to 90% and emergence from 12% to 90% [42]. Seeds treated with 1.0 mM of ethephon solution and kept under constant light showed a 29% increase in germination rates. Untreated seeds germinated at a rate of 50% to 60% [88].
Seedling establishment/growth: In a study conducted on 1,249 purple coneflower seedlings, population fragmentation was a significant indicator of seedling vigor [107]. One hundred percent of purple coneflower seeds collected in South Dakota were found to be viable and 76.5% developed mature embryos [97].
Asexual regeneration: While Bare [8] and Umbanhowar [104] maintain that purple coneflower is rhizomatous, Kindscher suggests that it is a tap-rooted species devoid of rhizomes (Kindscher, personal communication [60]). Kaul was also not able to detect any rhizomes on purple coneflower (Kaul, personal communication [58]). Further research may be necessary to verify the existence or absence of rhizomes in purple coneflower.
Purple coneflower can be propagated through cuttings from the thick taproot [47]. Mass propagation can be done using axillary bud proliferation, adventitious shoot formation and somatic embryogenesis [64], potentially producing plants on a scale suitable for commercial needs.
The currently accepted scientific name for purple coneflower is Echinacea angustifolia
DC (Asteraceae) [8,30,45,55]. There are 2 recognized varieties:
E. a. var. angustifolia
E. a. var. strigosa (R.L. McGreg) [45,55]
Throughout this review, purple coneflower will refer to both varieties, E. a. var.
angustifolia and E. a. var. strigosa. The literature does not differentiate between
the 2 infrataxa, so distinction between the varieties will only be made in the distribution and
occurrence section.
Hybrids: In an experimental garden setting, E. a. var. angustifolia
was successfully crossed with eastern purple coneflower (E. purpurea) [70].
Purple coneflower is valuable for the restoration of prairies in the Great Plains region. In central Texas, container grown transplants were a successful part of the Blackland Prairie restoration effort [2]. At the Heard Museum in eastern Texas, strips of sod transplanted from a nearby area and supporting a similar composition of species displayed an initial decrease and subsequent increase in cover and frequency of purple coneflower [98]. In Kansas, purple coneflower plants were grown in a greenhouse and inoculated with Rhizobium bacteria before being transplanted. Two seedlings planted in 1984 survived year 1, and 1 survived the 2nd year, while 88% of 64 seedlings planted in 1985 survived [81]. In Nebraska, individual purple coneflower plants and tallgrass prairie sod were successfully relocated onto restoration sites [19].
Coal mine spoil materials in North Dakota have been successfully seeded with purple coneflower [15,16]. In a 2-year study conducted in southwestern North Dakota, directly seeded forbs, including purple coneflower, produced numerous seedlings in June following original planting [16]. In a separate study conducted in the northern Great Plains region, purple coneflower grown in greenhouse containers produced only a few seedlings after being transplanted, but displayed "exceptional" establishment characteristics and hearty growth in both years [15].
In South Dakota, artificially constructed earthen mounds on low, middle, and high productivity gradients were monitored to determine species richness and yield on a spatial scale. Purple coneflower was found on greater than 35% of the mounds located in each topographic gradient, indicating its ability to respond to disturbances and recolonize sites in which soil degradation has occurred [104].
Eddleman [31] discusses the viability of purple coneflower seeds for reclamation in southeastern Montana. Age of seed, temperatures, stratification, and planting seasons are addressed as factors in success rates. Albrecht and Smith-Jochum [1] discuss methods used in germination and establishment of purple coneflower, including raised beds, soil pH, light availability, precipitation and temperature.
La equinácea de fueya estrecha (nome científicu Echinacea angustifolia) ye una planta yerbácea de la familia Asteraceae (asteracees) nativa de Norteamérica. Tien les mesmes carauterístiques y propiedaes que la Echinacea purpurea, de la que difier esencialmente pol anchor de les fueyes que son más estreches.
Ye una planta yerbácea con raigañu negra y picante. Algama'l metro d'altor y los sos fueyes son enteres y llanceolaes con trés nervaciones. Les flores perifériques tienen les lígulas estreches y de color rosa o púrpura. Les flores internes son tubulares y de color mariellu maciu. El receptáculu ye espinosu, d'ellí'l nome xenéricu de la planta (Echinacea, del griegu "echino", espinosu).
Nativa de les Great Plains del Oeste y centro-oeste d'Estaos Xuníos : Iowa , Kansas, Minnesota, Misúri, Nebraska, Dakota del Norte y del Sur, Oklahoma, Coloráu, Montana, Wyoming, Nuevu Méxicu, Texas ; tamién nel Canadá occidental (Saskatchewan). Cultivada como ornamental n'otres partes.
Nenguna de les propiedaes enriba descrites foi comprobada fehacientemente y, arriendes d'ello, el so usu terapéuticu nun se debe encamentarsobremanera por vía parenteral.[2] Y eso a pesar de la so vienta llibre nel comerciu naturista baxa diverses apelaciones, solo o entemecíu con otros componentes herbales como, por casu, el tomillu (Thymus vulgaris L.) qu'él sí tien virtúes antiséptiques, ente otres.
Bien útil na profilaxis y tratamientu complementariu d'afecciones respiratories: gripe, resfriáu común, farinxitis, rinitis, sinusitis, bronquitis. La tintura, emplégase, en forma de colutorios en abscesos dentarios y en baños, pomaes o compreses sobre quemadures, feríes angüeñoses, forúnculos, acné, inflamaciones o ulceraciones dérmiques.
Contraindicáu col embaranzu, lactancia, hepatopatías. Nes monografíes de la Comisión Y alemana encamiéntase nun emplegar en: Tuberculosis, colagenopatías, esclerosis múltiple, síndrome d'inmunodeficiencia adquirida y otros desordes inmunolóxicos. En toos estos casos, ye necesariu que'l médicu evalúe la conveniencia de la so alministración y supervise el tratamientu.[3]
Echinacea angustifolia describióse por (L.) Moench y espublizóse en Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 5: 554–555. 1836.[4]
El nome del xéneru procede del griegu echino, que significa "espinosu", debíu al discu central espinosu de la cabezuela floral.
angustifolia: epítetu llatín que significa "con fueyes estreches".[5]
La equinácea de fueya estrecha (nome científicu Echinacea angustifolia) ye una planta yerbácea de la familia Asteraceae (asteracees) nativa de Norteamérica. Tien les mesmes carauterístiques y propiedaes que la Echinacea purpurea, de la que difier esencialmente pol anchor de les fueyes que son más estreches.
L'equinàcia (Echinacea angustifolia) és una planta de la família de les Asteràcies. És una espècie originària d'Amèrica, tot i que a causa de la bellesa de les seves flors es cultiva a Europa des de fa molt temps, havent-se'n assilvestrat alguns exemplars des de jardins. Floreix durant tot l'estiu, però per recol·lectar-la s'ha de fer a la primavera o tardor.
El primer terme de l'espècie, "echinacea", deriva de la paraula grega echino (espinós) aplicat al seu disc central. El segon terme, "angustifolia", fa referència a les seves fulles estretes.
La planta és originària d'Amèrica del Nord i va ser introduïda a Europa cap a l'any 1930.
En l'actualitat és molt abundant als Estats Units, sobretot als estats més occidentals, com són Illinois i Nebraska, tot i que també s'estén cap al sud fins a Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Texas i Mèxic. És cultivada com a planta medicinal en diversos països del centre d'Europa i pot trobar-se també àmpliament com a planta de jardí en un gran nombre de països de la resta del món.
A Catalunya és present en explotacions industrials per ser una espècie d'interès farmacèutic. En català, també es coneix amb els noms de flor cònica de la prada i flor porpra de la prada.
Originàriament creix en sòls pobres, rocosos i ben drenats, que presentin un pH neutre o lleugerament bàsic. És resistent a la sequera i a les gelades (pot suportar temperatures de fins a –25 / –40 °C). Creix millor a ple sol, encara que tolera mitja ombra. Malgrat la seva rusticitat, s'ha comprovat que les plantes responen bé al reg i a una fertilització adient als continguts de nutrients del sòl.
Planta herbàcia perenne amb la tija aèria que mor a l'hivern, però l'arrel es manté tot l'any i la part perduda torna a créixer. La seva mida és variable i es troba al voltant dels 45 cm. L'arrel és axonomorfa, fibrosa i la tija és aèria, erecta, cilíndrica, herbàcia i hirsuta (tota ella és recoberta de pèls aspres i rígids). Les fulles són també hirsutes, tenen una forma lineal-lanceolada, un marge sencer ondulat i són peciolades. Tenen 3 nervis gruixuts molt sortints en l'anvers, mentre que en el revers deixen un espai. Fan uns 5-20 cm de llargada i 1,5-10 cm d'amplada i es disposen a la tija de forma oposada o alterna. Pel que fa a la repartició de sexes, és una planta monoica de flors hermafrodites (els dos sexes estan presents en un sol tipus de flor) que apareixen entre mig estiu i l'inici de la tardor. Les seves inflorescències són en capítol; les flors, sèssils, es disposen sobre un disc o receptacle, envoltat per un involucre de bràctees. Els receptacles tenen forma d'arc cònic i són punxeguts; en ells s'hi poden diferenciar dos tipus de flors: al centre, flors tubulars punxegudes i fèrtils anomenades flòsculs i, a la base, flors ligulades estèrils. La morfologia dels flòsculs, que són les flors hermafrodites, és la següent: són petites, hermafrodites, pentàmeres, dialipètales i de simetria actinomorfa. El seu androceu és singenèsic de 5 estams. El seu gineceu és ínfer, bicarpel·lar, amb l'ovari unilocular, un primordi seminal, un estil i 2 estigmes (cenocàrpic paracàrpic). Les lígules, que són les flors estèrils, no tenen òrgans reproductors i la seva corol·la és gamopètala (amb 3 pètals de color violat soldats).
El fruit és un tetraqueni espinós.
Les parts de la planta usades per les seves virtuts medicinals són les arrels i el rizoma.
1) Arrels i sumitats florides:
2) Part aèria:
L'equinàcia pertany al grup dels immunomoduladors,[2] que es caracteritzen per induir, qualitativament o quantitativa, sobre les cèl·lules immunocompetents o leucòcits. A través d'ells s'activen mecanismes de protecció davant d'agents externs com virus, bacteris i fongs.
En diversos estudis s'ha provat l'eficàcia immunomoduladora i antiviral de l'equinàcia, però no hi ha proves que el seu ús prolongat sigui efectiu. Tot i això, en estudis "in vitro" sobre granulòcits humans s'ha comprovat que l'extracte de la planta produeix un augment en la fagocitosi en un 23%. També es produeix l'estimulació de la secreció de TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) per part de macròfags i limfòcits,[2] producció d'interferó beta i interleucines 1, 6 i 10. Aquestes accions podrien ser la causa última de l'activació de cèl·lules T no específiques.
L'equinàcia, a més, contribueix a reparar parcialment els teixits afectats per la infecció, donat que inhibeix l'acció de l'enzim hialuronidasa tissular i bacteriana (enzim que forma part del mecanisme primari de defenses), via formació d'un complex polisacàrid-àcid hialurònic.
L'acció d'aquesta planta, no es deu només a un principi actiu, sinó que l'àcid axicòric, les alquilamides i les glucoproteïnes junt amb els polisacàrids, etc., actuen sinèrgicament, produint la seva activitat. D'una altra banda les isobutilamides i els polisacàrids exerceixen un efecte antiinflamatori per la inhibició de la ciclooxigenasa[2] i de la 5-lipooxigenasa.[2]
La seva activitat cicatritzant afavoreix la formació del teixit de granulació que és necessari per a la curació de ferides; estimula la proliferació de fibroblasts responsables de la regeneració de teixits i la formació de cicatrius.
L'equinàcia ha estat utilitzada tradicionalment pels indis nord-americans, especialment per a la curació de ferides de les fletxes o les mossegades de les serps, així com per a tota una sèrie d'aplicacions bactericides (ferides, afeccions oculars, nafres a la boca, refredats, etc.).
A mesura que els colons s'anaven estenent cap a l'oest van conèixer les diferents aplicacions de la planta, fins que, a finals del segle XIX, va ser inclosa com a planta medicinal dins la farmacopea occidental, període en el qual s'utilitzava principalment com a remei per la gonorrea o la sífilis. Amb l'aparició dels antibiòtics va perdre el seu ús, fins que l'últim quart de segle XX que es recupera. En l'actualitat és una de les plantes de més reputació en la medicina natural americana, i la seva utilització dins l'europea està en creixement.
Rarament s'han descrit efectes adversos per a l'organisme; el seu contingut en alcaloides pirrolizidínics, els quals són tòxics per al fetge, és tan insignificant que no suposa cap mena de problema de toxicitat. Malgrat tot, el seu consum pot produir efectes secundaris lleus:
S'han descrit casos puntuals d'anafilaxi amb edema facial, mareig, hipotensió i dispnea.
Tot i que existeix poca informació toxicològica sobre la planta, es considera que és segura quan s'administra segons la dosi recomanada. De tota manera, el seu ús està contraindicat durant l'embaràs i la lactància a causa de la poca informació sobre la seva seguretat.
Pot existir una reacció al·lèrgica creuada entre les espècies d'equinàcia i altres plantes de la mateixa família en persones sensibles a la planta o altres espècies de la família de les compostes.
En casos de diabetis cal controlar les concentracions de glucèmia, ja que pot disminuir durant el tractament.
La interacció de l'equinàcia amb altres medicaments és teòrica, ja que no s'ha pogut demostrar.
Teòricament s'ha d'evitar l'associació d'equinàcia amb ciclosporina[2] o corticoides, ja que pot inhibir l'efecte immunosupressor.
També evitar l'associació amb amiodarona,[3] metotrexat,[3] ketoconazol[3] o esteroides anabolitzants, per la possibilitat d'augmentar el dany hepàtic produït per aquests fàrmacs.
En casos d'administració d'antidiabètics orals o insulina, se n'haurà d'ajustar la dosi, per la possibilitat de produir una hipoglucèmia.
L'equinàcia (Echinacea angustifolia) és una planta de la família de les Asteràcies. És una espècie originària d'Amèrica, tot i que a causa de la bellesa de les seves flors es cultiva a Europa des de fa molt temps, havent-se'n assilvestrat alguns exemplars des de jardins. Floreix durant tot l'estiu, però per recol·lectar-la s'ha de fer a la primavera o tardor.
Der Schmalblättrige Sonnenhut (Echinacea angustifolia), auch Schmalblättriger Igelkopf oder Schmalblättrige Kegelblume genannt, ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung der Sonnenhüte (Echinacea) in der Familie der Korbblütler (Asteraceae). Sie gedeiht in Nordamerika von den Great Plains bis zu den Großen Seen und den Rocky Mountains.
Der Schmalblättrige Sonnenhut ist eine aufrechte, unverzweigte, ausdauernde krautige Pflanze, die Wuchshöhen von ungefähr 40 bis 70 Zentimetern erreicht. Sie bildet eine Pfahlwurzel und mehr oder weniger stark verzweigte Faserwurzeln. Die vegetativen Pflanzenteile sind mäßig bis dicht behaart mit relativ rauen, ausgebreiteten, etwa 1 bis 2 Millimeter langen Haaren (Trichomen). Die Stängel sind grün bis purpurfarben.
Die wechselständigen Laubblätter sind in Blattstiel und Blattspreite gegliedert. Die einfache Blattspreite besitzt einen glatten Rand, meist bewimpert. Bei den untersten Laubblättern sind die Blattstiele 2 bis 12 Zentimeter lang und die 7 bis 30 Zentimeter langen und 0,5 bis 2,5, selten bis zu 4 Zentimeter breiten Blattspreiten besitzen meist drei (ein bis fünf) Blattadern. Die lineal-lanzettlichen Laubblätter unterscheiden sich dabei vom Purpur-Sonnenhut (Echinacea purpurea), der spitz-eiförmige Laubblätter aufweist.[1][2]
Die Blütezeit reicht vom Spätfrühling bis zur Sommermitte (je nach Standort etwa Mai und Oktober). Einzeln endständig auf 10 bis 30 Zentimeter langen Blütenstandsschäften stehen die körbchenförmigen Blütenstände. Die Hüllblätter sind 6 bis 12 Millimeter lang und 1 bis 2,5 Millimeter breit. Die fast kugel- bis zylinderförmigen Blütenstandsböden sind 1,5 bis 3 Zentimeter × 2 bis 3,5 Zentimeter groß. Es sind orangefarbene, gerade Spreublätter mit purpurfarbener, scharfer Spitze vorhanden, die mit 9 bis 14 Millimeter Länge die Röhrenblüten, als auffälliges Merkmal der Gattung, wie kleine Igelstacheln (botanischer Gattungsname!) überragen. Die kreisförmigen Blütenkörbe enthalten acht bis 21 Zungenblüten und 200 bis über 300 Röhrenblüten. Die ungeschlechtigen Zungenblüten (= Strahlenblüten) weisen eine Länge von 15 bis 40 Millimeter auf und einen Durchmesser von 5 bis 8 Millimeter auf, sind purpur- bis rosafarben mit zurückgebogenen Kronzungen. Die zwittrigen, fertilen Röhrenblüten (= Scheibenblüten) sind 5 bis mehr als 7 Millimeter lang und meist purpurfarben mit fünf Kronzipfeln.
Die vierkantigen, glatten Achänen sind 4 bis 5 Millimeter lang, meist zweifarbig unten hell- und oben dunkelbraun. Der krönchenförmige Pappus ist bis zu 1 Millimeter lang mit keinem bis vier Hauptzähnen.
Die Chromosomenzahl beträgt 2n = 22 oder 44.[3]
Nach Beobachtungen sollen Elche, wenn sie krank oder verwundet sind, die Pflanzenwurzel verspeisen.[4]
Echinacea angustifolia gedeiht in trockenen Prärien, „Barrens“, auf steinigen bis sandig-lehmigen Böden in Höhenlagen zwischen 100 und 1600 Meter. Fundorte befinden sich in den kanadischen Provinzen Manitoba und Saskatchewan sowie in den US-Bundesstaaten Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas und Wyoming.
Echinacea angustifolia ist eine winterharte Zierpflanze und lässt sich in den meisten Gärten der gemäßigten Zonen anpflanzen. Der Schmalblättrige Sonnenhut liebt durchlässige Böden und viel Sonne, aber verträgt auch Schatten.
Die Arzneidroge wird aus der Echinacea-Wurzel (Echinacea angustifolia radix) gewonnen. Wichtige Inhaltsstoffe sind dabei das Echinacosid, Glykosid, ätherisches Öl, Inulin und Harz[2][5].
Extrakte aus der Arzneidroge sind in den letzten 50 Jahren zu einem bedeutsamen Arzneimittel in der Selbstmedikation (z. B. in Europa und USA) geworden. Sie werden zur Prophylaxe und Behandlung von Erkältungen und grippalen Infekten sowie Förderung der Wundheilung eingesetzt. Des Weiteren sind z. B. Präparate auf dem Markt für den Einsatz gegen Fieberbläschen, Furunkel, Karbunkel, Akne, septische Prozesse und Kopfschmerzen. Die Wirksamkeit des Sonnenhutes bei diesen Anwendungen ist wissenschaftlich nicht ausreichend belegt. Eine phagozytosestimulierende Wirkung wurde aber beobachtet.[6] Eine Daueranwendung von Echinacea-Präparaten schwächt aber das körpereigene Immunsystem.[7]
Die Indianer Nordamerikas kauten die Wurzel bei Halsschmerzen und Zahnschmerzen. Des Weiteren soll die Pflanze bei Wunden, Verbrennungen, Insektenstichen, Schlangenbissen, Mumps, Masern und Gonorrhoe Anwendung gefunden haben. Es ist aber anzunehmen, dass die Indianer nicht zwischen den einzelnen Echinacea-Arten unterschieden haben. Die weißen Siedler Nordamerikas haben dann den Gebrauch des Sonnenhutes von den Ureinwohnern übernommen.
Die Erstbeschreibung von Echinacea angustifolia erfolgte 1836 durch Augustin-Pyrame de Candolle in Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, 5, S. 554–555[8]. Das Artepitheton angustifolia bezieht sich auf die Charakteristik der Laubblätter: angustifolia bedeutet schmalblättrig. Der botanische Gattungsname Echinacea leitet sich vom altgriechischen Wort echinos für Seeigel oder Igel ab und bezieht sich auf den vorgewölbten Blütenstandsboden mit den spitzen Spreublättern, dies wirkt insgesamt igelförmig.
Synonyme für Echinacea angustifolia DC. sind: Brauneria angustifolia (DC.) A.Heller und Echinacea angustifolia var. strigosa McGregor. R. L. McGregor hatte 1967, 1968 eine Varietät Echinacea angustifolia var. strigosa aufgestellt, aber nach S. E. Binns et al. 2002 unterscheidet sich diese Form taxonomisch nicht von der Nominatform.
Der Schmalblättrige Sonnenhut (Echinacea angustifolia), auch Schmalblättriger Igelkopf oder Schmalblättrige Kegelblume genannt, ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung der Sonnenhüte (Echinacea) in der Familie der Korbblütler (Asteraceae). Sie gedeiht in Nordamerika von den Great Plains bis zu den Großen Seen und den Rocky Mountains.
Echinacea angustifolia, the narrow-leaved purple coneflower or blacksamson echinacea,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it is widespread across much of the Great Plains of central Canada and the central United States, with additional populations in surrounding regions.[3]
E. angustifolia is a perennial herb with spindle-shaped taproots that are often branched. The stems and leaves are moderately to densely hairy. The plant produces flower heads each at the end of a long peduncle. Each flower head contains 8–21 pink or purple ray florets plus 80–250 orange disc florets.[2]
Echinacea angustifolia blooms in late spring to mid-summer. Two subspecies are used by some botanists, but are regarded as illegitimate by Flora of North America (FNA) and Plants of the World Online (POWO):[4][5][6][1]
The word "Echinacea" is derived from the Greek word "echinos" which means sea urchin or hedgehog; a feature that can be observed in the flower head of the plant.[9]
Echinacea angustifolia is about 10-50 cm in length.
The plant consists of white to pink or deep purple flower petals that characteristically wilt downwards, while the ray florets of the flower head range from green to red-brown in color.[9] The leaves are dark green and can be oblong-lanceolate or elliptical in shape.[9] The plant has pubescent stems with rhizomes present underground.
The plant does not self pollinate and requires assistance from bee pollinators in the reproduction process.[10] In Echinacea angustifolia there is greater success in pollination between mates that are at a closer proximity between one another. Echinacea angustifolia is an herbaceous perennial plant, producing flowers and living more than two years at a time.[10] The plant is known to grow at a slow rate and is drought-resistant to help the plant survive in its temperate grassland habitat.[9]
Greater root density is observed in Echinacea angustifolia growing in higher latitude, in turn, producing a greater quantity of polyphenols and alkylamides available in the root extract.[11]
Although it is used in herbal medicine there is mixed consensus that it is effective or safe for treating disease.[12][13]
Echinacea angustifolia grows in the drier parts of the tallgrass prairie, the mixed grass prairie, and the shortgrass prairie in North America, in a range of soils from rocky to sandy-clay.[6] It is recorded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS database (PLANTS) as growing in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Manitoba, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming.[14] The FNA largely agrees with this, but do not record it in New York and PLANTS only records it in Monroe County, NY.[6]
The wildflower gardening author Claude A. Barr regarded narrow-leaved purple coneflower as, "bold, spectacular, and beautiful." Though he did disagree with the common name, pointing out that it is more pink than purple in most cases. Though gravelly or stony soil is a preference of the plant in the wild, they survive in normal garden soil provided they are not crowed by other plants. Most often it is propigated by seed, but can also be grown from around 10 centimeter sections of taproot from younger plants. They are set upright under 2–3 centimeters of soil with controlled moisture to start new root and top growth.[15]
Media related to Echinacea angustifolia at Wikimedia Commons
Echinacea angustifolia, the narrow-leaved purple coneflower or blacksamson echinacea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it is widespread across much of the Great Plains of central Canada and the central United States, with additional populations in surrounding regions.
E. angustifolia is a perennial herb with spindle-shaped taproots that are often branched. The stems and leaves are moderately to densely hairy. The plant produces flower heads each at the end of a long peduncle. Each flower head contains 8–21 pink or purple ray florets plus 80–250 orange disc florets.
Echinacea angustifolia blooms in late spring to mid-summer. Two subspecies are used by some botanists, but are regarded as illegitimate by Flora of North America (FNA) and Plants of the World Online (POWO):
Echinacea angustifolia subsp. angustifolia is native to central Canada and the central United States from Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the north to New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana in the south. Echinacea angustifolia subsp. strigosa has a more limited range in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.La equinácea de hoja estrecha (nombre científico Echinacea angustifolia) es una planta herbácea de la familia Asteraceae (asteráceas) nativa de Norteamérica. Tiene las mismas características y propiedades que Echinacea purpurea, de la que difiere esencialmente por la anchura de las hojas que son más estrechas.
Es una planta herbácea con raíz negra y picante. Alcanza el metro de altura y sus hojas son enteras y lanceoladas con tres nervaciones. Las flores periféricas tienen las lígulas estrechas y de color rosa o púrpura. Las flores internas son tubulares y de color amarillo pálido. El receptáculo es espinoso, de allí el nombre genérico de la planta (Echinacea, del griego "echino", espinoso).
Nativa de las Great Plains del Oeste y centro-oeste de Estados Unidos : Iowa , Kansas, Minnesota, Misúri, Nebraska, Dakota del Norte y del Sur, Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Nuevo México, Texas ; también en el Canadá occidental (Saskatchewan). Cultivada como ornamental en otras partes.
Ninguna de las propiedades arriba descritas ha sido comprobada fehacientemente y, en consecuencia, su uso terapéutico no se debe recomendar, en particular por vía parenteral.[2] Y eso a pesar de su venta libre en el comercio naturista bajo diversas apelaciones, solo o mezclado con otros componentes herbales como, por ejemplo, el tomillo (Thymus vulgaris L.) que él sí tiene virtudes antisépticas, entre otras.
Contraindicado con el embarazo, lactancia, hepatopatías. En las monografías de la Comisión E alemana se recomienda no emplear en: Tuberculosis, colagenopatías, esclerosis múltiple, síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida y otros desórdenes inmunológicos. En todos estos casos, es necesario que el médico evalúe la conveniencia de su administración y supervise el tratamiento.[3]
Echinacea angustifolia fue descrita por (L.) Moench y publicado en Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 5: 554–555. 1836.[4]
El nombre del género procede del griego echino, que significa "espinoso", debido al disco central espinoso de la cabezuela floral.
angustifolia: epíteto latíno que significa "con hojas estrechas".[5]
La equinácea de hoja estrecha (nombre científico Echinacea angustifolia) es una planta herbácea de la familia Asteraceae (asteráceas) nativa de Norteamérica. Tiene las mismas características y propiedades que Echinacea purpurea, de la que difiere esencialmente por la anchura de las hojas que son más estrechas.
Jeżówka wąskolistna (Echinacea angustifolia DC.) – gatunek byliny , należący do rodziny astrowatych. Występuje naturalnie w Ameryce Północnej[2]. W Polsce jest uprawiana, niekiedy dziczeje (kenofit)[3].
Roślina odporna na mróz[5]. Wymaga stanowiska w pełnym słońcu i żyznej gleby. Wskazane jest ściółkowanie. Po przekwitnięciu kwiatostany obcina się. Rozmnaża się przez podział albo przez sadzonki. Źle znosi przesadzanie.
Jeżówka wąskolistna (Echinacea angustifolia DC.) – gatunek byliny , należący do rodziny astrowatych. Występuje naturalnie w Ameryce Północnej. W Polsce jest uprawiana, niekiedy dziczeje (kenofit).
Echinacea angustifolia là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Cúc. Loài này được DC. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1836.[1]
Echinacea angustifolia là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Cúc. Loài này được DC. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1836.