Purple coneflowers have relatively fine, branched roots, from which grow 60 to 150 cm high, robust, branched stalks with sparse, rough hairs. The conically vaulted flower heads are 1.5 to 2.5 cm high and have a diameter of approximately 4 cm. The purple-red, hanging, tongued-shaped petals are 4 to 6 cm long.
The purple coneflower is a native plant of North America and grows on the plains of Midwestern United States. The traditional areas of use by the Native Americans and early settlers were numerous and included, among others, wounds, burns, inflammations of the gums, toothache and sore throats, colds, coughs, mumps, measles, and gonorrhea. Echinacea is still used today to treat fever and infections.