Close-up Image of pink Echinacea flower showing detail of the cone shaped centre
Like all members of the sunflower family, the flowering structure is a composite inflorescence, with rose-colored (rarely yellow or white) florets arranged in a prominent, somewhat cone-shaped head – "cone-shaped" because the petals of the outer ray florets tend to point downward (are reflexed) once the flower head opens, thus forming a cone. Plants are generally long lived, with distinctive flowers. The common name "cone flower" comes from the characteristic center "cone" at the center of the flower head. The generic name Echinacea is rooted in the Greek word ἐχῖνος (echinos), meaning hedgehog, it references the spiky appearance and feel of the flower heads. Echinacea products vary widely in composition. They contain different species (E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida), different plant segments (roots, flowers, extracts), different preparations (extracts and expressed juice), and different chemical compositions which complicate understanding of a potential effect. Well-controlled trials are limited and low in quality. Although there are multiple scientific reviews and meta-analyses published on the supposed immunological effects of echinacea, significant variability of echinacea products used among studies limited conclusions about effects and safety, consequently leading to non-approval of any health benefit or anti-disease activity
Size: 2178px × 3267px
Location: Shoeburyness Essex
Photo credit: © Marina Murphy / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: arranged, cone-shaped, downward, florets, head, outer, petals, point, prominent, ray, tend, –
