Glade coneflower

Echinacea simulata is in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. The name 'Echinacea' is derived from the Greek word 'ekhinos', which means hedgehog. This seems a fitting word to describe the spiky central disk of the Echinacea family. The specific epithet (simulata) refers to the close similarity of Echinacea simulata to other Echinacea species, particularly Echinacea pallida.

Common names include Glade coneflower, Ozark coneflower or Wavyleaf purple coneflower.

The soft pink petals of Echinacea simulata flow downward, similar to Echinacea pallida. As mentioned above, a fail safe way to distinguish the plants is by the color of their pollen. Echinacea simulata has yellow pollen while Echinacea pallida has white pollen. Additionally, the petals of Glade coneflower droop less and are a more vibrant, deep pink compared to Pale purple coneflower.

Glade coneflower has both ray and disk florets. The sterile ray flowers number about 10-20. Disk florets are seen peeping in between the stiff bracts of the flower head.

Glade coneflower is a perennial growing from 2 to 3 feet tall. The single stem is pubescent with moderately spaced hairs. The large leaves are deep green, pubescent and without teeth.

After flowering the stiff heads stand through winter. The seeds (frutis) are beloved by goldfinches, who visit the plants soon after flowering and throughout winter. Its delightful to watch them perch on the spiny seed head, pulling out one seed after another, making the plant bob up down as they work for their dinner.

Sit for a while to watch the activity around a group of Glade coneflowers and you are likely to see many bees, butterflies, and other insects. This plant supports many varied pollinators. Here's a sampling of the bee visitors of Glade coneflower.

Here's a sampling of butterflies I've documented visiting Glade coneflower.

Echinacea simulata is primarily found in rocky glades with thin soil, although they are occasionally found in prairie habitat. They do not do well in shady sites or in habitats with rich soil.

Echinacea simulata has a C-Value of 8 in Arkansas (Conservative taxa with strong fidelity to intact habitats. These taxa tend to exhibit late-successional characteristics like long lifespans with low seed sets and an inability for far ranging dispersal.)

Natureserve lists Echinacea simulata as G4 (Apparently Secure). It has a limited range across only 8 states, (Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia). It is listed as Imperiled in Tennessee and Georgia, Critically Imperiled in Alabama and Vulnerable in Kentucky. Conservation status is not listed for the other states in its range.

Echinacea simulata has a more restricted range compared to its relatives, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea. It should never be dug from the wild except as a rescue for road construction or other development. In fact, as their tap roots reach down into the rocky soil greater than 5 feet you are unlikely to be able to successfully dig a plant. In a rescue situation, a more reliable solution would be to collect seeds (if ripe seed heads are present) or dig small seedlings.