echinacea

[ ek-uh-ney-shuh, -see-uh ]

noun

1. any of several coneflowers of the genus Echinacea whose leaves, roots, and other parts are used in herbal medicine to promote wound healing and enhance the immune system.

echinacea

/ ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃɪə /

noun

1. Also calledpurple coneflower either of the two N American plants of the genus Echinacea, having flower heads with purple rays and black centres: family Compositae (composites) See coneflower
2. the powdered root of either of these plants, used to stimulate the immune system

Word History and Origins

Origin of echinacea¹

First recorded in 1825–30; from New Latin Echīnācea, genus name, from Latin echīnus “sea urchin,” from Greek echînos “hedgehog, sea urchin, a kind of plant” + -acea ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of echinacea¹

from New Latin, from Latin echīnātus prickly, from echīnus hedgehog

Example Sentences

Summer-blooming perennials, such as sedum, lavender, echinacea and other plants that don’t need very much summer water, carry interest on through the growing season.

From Seattle Times

Everything from the primrose to the milkweed to the Echinacea purpurea, is allowed to flourish.

From National Geographic

I’ll watch chickadees pull at echinacea heads and munch on their seeds.

From Washington Post

Parker, a D.C. theater staple who performs in drag under the persona Echinacea Monroe, keeps his balance while strutting through Lola’s dueling moods of over-the-top extravagance and underlying anxiety.

From Washington Post

Once the coronavirus lockdown ended, Echinacea Monroe — a name Parker derived from the herb that singers use to sooth their throats — started performing in clubs, hosting fundraisers and competing in pageants.

From Washington Post