EchinaceaEchinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is an herbaceous perennial plant with four species and six varieties all indigenous to North America. This popular plant has been used in perennial gardens for over 200 years and is widely known. Its also used as wild edible food and provides nutrition in addition to many health benefits. Echinacea comes from the Greek word "echinos" meaning hedgehog in reference to the spiny center cone.