Īfter the flowers fade, over the course of the next several weeks seeds will form within the disc flower and at the base of the ray flowers (petals). Colors range from light pink, lavender, to dark rich magenta pink in color. The central disc flowers will be surrounded radially by 20 ray flowers (petals). Individual daisy like flowers approximately 3″ diameter will be at the end of the stalks. On the stalk are smaller leaves of similar shape, alternate along the stem. The margins have small hairs and are ciliate. The base of the plant will have linear or narrowly-lanceolate basal leaves whorled around the rootstock that are roughly 6″ long by 3/8″-1/2″ wide. The small white hairs are very visible in this image Leaf No branching will be present, and they will rise 1-2′ tall terminating with individual flowers. The stalks will be round, hairy, and light green in color. Identification and Characteristics of Tennessee Coneflower Stalk The shallow soil of the cedar glades also subject it to very moist to very dry conditions throughout the growing season, so once established it can withstand a drought. It grows within and on the periphery or forest edge of the cedar glades in Tennessee, meaning it prefers full sun or partial shade. Tennessee Coneflower is very adaptable when it comes to growing conditions. One of the smaller Echinacea species, it’s compact and non-spreading nature make Tennessee Coneflower one of the more versatile, and residential friendly plants to grow. This will keep a flower bed looking great for most of the growing season. Long Bloom Timeīlooming from June through August makes this one of the longest blooming perennials I’ve grown. Planting several specimens together can give your garden a pop of color. The individual flowers almost have the shape of a satellite dish or up-turned umbrella, which is quite a contrast from other members of the Echinacea genus. Tennessee Coneflower blooms lovely pink to purple flowers that are erect and look beautiful. Sources – What are the Benefits of Tennessee Coneflower Beauty Tennessee Coneflower Reference Table Scientific Name Thus they are some of the most isolated and unique ecosystems with dozens of species of unique plants that are only endemic to these areas. The ecosystem that evolves within the glades have to be able to cope with full sun, moist soil in the Spring, and droughts in the heat of Summer. This in turn means that the forests are dotted with these isolated, exposed cedar glades. The soil is too shallow for trees to grow, thus certain herbaceous flowers and grasses have and adapted to the glades. Cedar glades are characterized as having shallow soil on top of limestone, mixed in with exposed limestone outcroppings. Tennessee Coneflower evolved over eons within the cedar glades in the Tennessee forests. The native range of Tennessee Coneflower, Echinacea tennesseensis. More specifically, it is endemic to the cedar glades in just three Tennessee counties: Davidson, Wilson, and Rutherford. Thus, as expected, the native range of Tennessee Coneflower is, well, Tennessee. She found and identified 6 isolated populations within cedar glades in the Nashville basin of Tennessee, which is now their accepted native range. The species was thought to be extinct, until it was rediscovered by renowned botanist Dr. He recorded it being on “gravely hillsides” of Tennessee and Arkansas. Tennessee Coneflower was first described by American botanist John Kunkel Small in 1903. A great success story to save this beautiful plant adapted specifically to the isolated cedar glades of Tennessee. Once on the Federal endangered species list, it was removed in 2011. Blooming from June though August, the lovely pink blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds will eat the seeds. Scientifically known as Echinacea tennesseenis, it will grow 2′ tall by 1.5′ wide in full sun and well draining soil. Tennessee Coneflower is a herbaceous perennial flower endemic to cedar glades within several counties in Tennessee.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |