PaleConeflower

=**Pale Coneflower**= //Echinacea Pallida//

//The first two pictures were both taken in the Ames High Prarie by Megan Streit on September 25, 2008. The third picture was retrieved from an online source that can be accessed by a link on the bottom of this page.//

By examining qualities that are specific to the pale coneflower in the pictures that were taken in the Ames High Prarie, you can come to the conclusion that those plants are indeed the Pale Coneflower. Take note of the little hair-like structures on the first picture- these hairs are characteristic of the Pale Coneflower. In addition, you can see that in the second picture, each flower has its own stem, an obvious comparison to the third picture of a known Pale Coneflower. Finally, the flower and stem in the first two pictures are dead; this piece of information corresponds to the season that the Pale Coneflower is in bloom (spring to early summer). Therefore, this is the way a Pale Coneflower should appear in September. With all this evidence, it is possible to conclude that the first two plants above are indeed Pale Coneflowers. (//The evidence in this paragraph comes from facts used in the following paragraphs; the location of this information is referenced to in those paragraphs//).
 * Evidence for Being in the Prarie**:

The Pale Coneflower, or //Echinacea Pallida//, range in size from about 45 centimeters tall to 75 centimeters tall. It is known to grow from one unbranched stem that is characterized by small hairs. The color range for the petals is a light purple to a light pink, and in rare cases, a nearly white color. The petals are generally one to three inches in length and are known for the way that they droop off of the flower heads. The pollen on the flowers is white. It requires a dry to average amount of moisture.
 * Description²**:

These pictures show the states that the Pale Coneflower can usually be found in³. This includes Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, it can be found in the most southern portions of Canada. It is listed as a threatened species in Tennessee and Michigan.
 * Location**:

The Pale Coneflower is perennial plant, and returns each spring from its same roots. It does not bloom, however, until the second spring from the point whent the seed begins to grow. The soil needs to have a near neutral pH for the plant to thrive, somewhere between 6.6 and 7.5. The seeds need cold, moist stratification for sixty days before they can begin to grow properly (the environment needs to have a temperature somewhere between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit). To have one pound's worth of Pale Coneflower seeds, you would need between 80,000 and 85,000 seeds.⁷
 * Growth**:

The plant is attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies. It also is unique in that it is resistant to deer.⁶
 * Interactions**:

One of the Pale Coneflower's most interesting qualities is its status as a medicinal plant. It was originally used by Native Americans on snakebites, but today it is used as an immune system stimulant that works to prevent the common cold and the flu. Although it is controversial as to whether this actually works, the Pale Coneflower still accounts for about ten percent of the dietary supplement market.
 * Abstract Information⁴**:

Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliphyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Echinacea moench Species: Echinacea pallida
 * Classification¹:**

(1) http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=ECPA&display=31 This site provided a complete classification for the Pale Coneflower. The website also contains more interesting information on the Pale Coneflower that would be beneficial to someone who wants to learn more on the topic.
 * References**

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea_pallida This site has a detailed description of the physical attributes of the Pale Coneflower, in addition to some information regarding where the plant can be found.

(3) http://www.easywildflowers.com/quality/ech.pall.htm This site has the map of where the Pale Coneflower can be found, as well as a table listing where it can be found specifically in the United States. It also contains basic information about the plant.

(4) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/echinacea/NS_patient-echinacea This is the site of the mayoclinic, and contains a detailed description of the history of the Pale Coneflower in dietary supplements.

(5) http://www.brandsworld.com.sg/cms.www/main.aspx?sid=158 This site contains a more detailed analysis of the various uses of the Pale Coneflower.

(6) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/27/ This site talks about the interactions that the Pale Coneflower has with other organisms, and also addresses how to grow a Pale Coneflower.

(7) http://www.plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_ecpa.pdf This is a factsheet about the Pale Coneflower that discusses the growing conditions that it requires.

(8) http://www.abnativeplants.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantdetail&plant_id=95 This is the site where the top internet picture can be found (note that the two maps can be found on the above links).