Echinacea
/ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃiə/noun
A genus of North American flowering plants in the daisy family, several species of which are used in herbal preparations.
Did you know?The genus name was inspired by the flower’s bristly central cone, which resembles a small hedgehog and comes from Ancient Greek ekhinos, meaning “hedgehog” or “sea urchin.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ekhinos (ἐχῖνος)
“Hedgehog, sea urchin, or other spiny creature”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Echinus
“A taxonomic form based on Greek ekhinos, used for spiny organisms”
1794
Scientific Latin
Echinacea
“Genus name coined by botanist Conrad Moench, referring to the plant’s prickly flower head”
19th Century
Botanical English
Echinacea
“A genus of North American perennial herbs with prominent bristly cones”
Modern English
English
echinacea
“A flowering plant, especially one used in herbal medicine”
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