biondigi.blogg.se

Indigenous people have had a deep connection with plants through their culture and have passed down this knowledge and culture to many generations. For example, the hemp plant can be used to make cloth and cosmetics, while calendula flowers can be used as a salve and made into tea. Some ethnobotanical uses of plants outside of Echinacea purpurea include medicine, clothing, housing structures, and soaps. Said differently, ethnobotany is the study of how plants and people intermingle. This realm of botany studies how people of a particular culture have used or continue to use native plants. A simple definition of ethnobotany is that it is the combination of “ethno” meaning culture, and “botany” meaning plants. Now, this species of coneflower is heavily studied by both hobbyists and the ethnobotanical community. Their knowledge was then obtained by the settlers of the Americas.

Much of the knowledge surrounding the purple coneflower has been passed down through generations of native peoples. The ray flowers (florets) and the disc flowers (florets) are also labeled. Image credit: The three B’s – Complex Flowers (). Insects will seek out the irresistible color of the ray flowers and then take nectar from them in exchange for giving pollen to the flower. It is a vibrant purple composite flower, meaning that it is made up of both ray flowers (the bright colored petals that bees and butterflies are attracted to) and disk flowers (the little flowers that make up the head of the plant). These flowers are well known to gardeners because they add beautiful color splotches to any yard or garden space and are a vital component of pollinator gardens. They are part of the Aster family, which also contains sunflowers, daisies, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. The purple coneflower, also known scientifically as Echinacea purpurea, is a plant native to prairies in the eastern United States. In a way, this botanical miracle was used as a cure-all and was used to treat ailments more than any other medicinal plant. In Native American culture, the purple coneflower was used to treat poisonous bites and stings, toothaches, reduce inflammation, sore throat, colds, and so much more.