echinacea

From scientific Latin Echinacea, from Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος (ekhînos, “hedgehog”) (because of the soft "spines" in the centre of the flower) +‎ -acea.

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛkɪˈneɪsɪə/, /ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃɪə/, /ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃə/
• (weak vowel merger) IPA^(key): /ˌɛkəˈneɪsɪə/, /ˌɛkəˈneɪʃɪə/, /ˌɛkəˈneɪʃə/

• Rhymes: -eɪʃə

echinacea (countable and uncountable, plural echinaceas)

1. (countable) Any of several plants, of genus Echinacea, having pinkish-purple flowers.
2. (uncountable) A herbal medicine extracted from the roots and seeds of such plants.
   • 2013 March 1, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist‎, volume 101, number 2, page 134:

     Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.

• (plant of genus Echinacea): purple coneflower

• coneflower