Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Echinacea
- Species: Echinacea tennesseensis (Authority: Small)
Common name
- Tennessee coneflower
Description
Echinacea tennesseensis is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching heights of 30–90 cm. It possesses a single, erect flowering stalk bearing a solitary flower head. The flower head consists of a prominent central cone of reddish‑brown disc florets surrounded by 13–21 violet–blue ray florets, each up to 3 cm long. Leaves are basal and cauline, deeply lobed, and covered with fine hairs. The plant typically blooms from late May through July.
Habitat and distribution
The species is endemic to the central part of the Appalachian Plateau, restricted to a narrow range in middle Tennessee, United States. It grows on limestone outcrops, cedar glades, and shallow, rocky soils, often on north‑facing slopes with partial shade.
Conservation status
- U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA): Endangered (listed in 1991)
- IUCN Red List: Not evaluated (Insufficient data for global assessment)
- NatureServe: G2 (Globally imperiled)
Primary threats include habitat loss due to development, invasive plant encroachment, and the suppression of natural fire regimes that maintain open glade ecosystems. Conservation actions have included habitat protection, population monitoring, and propagation for reintroduction.
Ecology
The flowers are pollinated primarily by native bees and butterflies. Seeds are achenes equipped with a feathery pappus that facilitates wind dispersal. The plant shows some tolerance to periodic drought but requires well‑drained soils.
Cultivation
Although rare in the wild, E. tennesseensis can be cultivated in botanical gardens and by native‑plant enthusiasts. Successful cultivation requires conditions that mimic its natural limestone glade habitat: alkaline, well‑drained soil, full to partial sun, and minimal competition from aggressive weeds. Propagation is typically through seed, with germination enhanced by cold stratification.
References
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (1991). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Delist the Tennessee Coneflower. Federal Register.
- NatureServe Explorer. Echinacea tennesseensis species profile.
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database: Echinacea tennesseensis Small.
All information presented is based on peer‑reviewed botanical literature and official conservation assessments.
