Growing on the High Plains: The Ties That Bind (Echinacea)

By Skip Mancini

Published October 7, 2021 at 1:50 PM CDT

Today's installment of Growing on the High Plains comes from a story I encountered in the Sunday paper. It features an ethnobotanist from the sunflower state and his study of the coneflower (also known as echinacea).

On the High Plains, we grow accustomed to sightings of certain wildflowers and plants that tend to grow easily in our unpredictable climate. One of those is our purple pal the coneflower, which was the topic of a recent articlein The New York Times. Some of you may know that it's also known as echinacea—one of this region's most ancient, medicinal plants. The story covers Kelly Kindscher of the University of Kansas. He's an ethnobotanist and professor of environmental studies, specializing in flora of the prairie.

Growing on the High Plains

Skip Mancini

Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland. Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine. With pioneer spirit, Skip planted a garden. She began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds. If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.

See stories by Skip Mancini