Echinacea

Echinacea /ˌɛkᵻˈneɪʃⁱə/ is a genus, or group of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. The Echinacea genus has nine species, which are commonly called purple coneflowers. They are found only in eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas. They have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhinos), meaning "hedgehog," due to the spiny central disk. These flowering plants and their parts have different uses. Some species are cultivated in gardens for their showy flowers. Echinacea purpurea is used in folk medicine. Two of the species, E. tennesseensis and E. laevigata, are listed in the United States as endangered species.

Species

Echinacea (animal)

The Echinacea are a superorder of sea urchins. They are distinguished by the presence of a rigid test, with ten buccal plates around the mouth, and solid spines. Unlike some other sea urchins, they also possess gills. The group is a large one, with species found worldwide.

Echinacea are part of Animalia (Kingdom), Echinodermata (Phylum), Echinozoa (Subphylum), Echinoidea (Class), Euechinoidea (Subclass), Carinacea (Infraclass).

Child taxa

According to World Register of Marine Species:

Arbacia lixula,
an Arbacioida