Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, is a beautiful native plant as well as a provider of ingredients commonly used during cold and flu season. Some studies have shown that Echinacea has the ability to stimulate the immune system. Echinacea may reduce the duration and severity of the common cold and flu.
As with any other medication or herbal treatment, speak with your doctor before using.

On April 25 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. the Tenth Annual Wildflower and Native Plant Sale will be held by The Native Plant Center in Valhalla, NY. Three varieties of coneflowers will be available, Echinacea ‘Summer Sky’ - ‘Big Sky Sundown’ - ‘Kim’s Knee High.’ Many other natives will be for sale.

For further information and directions to the Native Plant Sale visit The NPC's website.

Here's another interesting bit of news about wildlife on the global level. "Since the mid-1980s, governments in the UK and parts of Europe introduced voluntary agri-environment schemes which require farmers to remove some of their land from intensive production and manage it in a more wildlife friendly way. "