Integrating Recent Knowledge about the Genus Echinacea: Morphology, Molecular Systematics, Phytochemistry

摘要

This article summarizes the authors' recent research on Echinacea published in various refereed journals with an emphasis on a new taxonomy. The taxonomy that most people are familiar with is that of McGregor, established in 1968. In these new studies, the authors recognize 4 species in Echinacea and have fitted most of McGregor's species as varieties under E. pallida and E. atrorubens, whereas E. purpurea and E. laevi-gata remain as before without varieties. The authors' studies on genomics and phytochemistry have lent support to this taxonomic scheme. This article contains an identification key to the 4 species and to the varieties within E. atrorubens and E. pallida.