Cut-leaved Coneflower

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure in both Canada (N5) and the US (N5). Secure in Ontario (S5) but not yet ranked in Quebec (SNR). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Widely distributed across eastern North America from Quebec to Florida and west to Idaho and Arizona.

S22 G5/N5, S5-ON, SNR-QC; S26 not listed under SARA

Rarity Ranks

QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Inhabits moist to wet floodplains, riparian forests, streambanks, and swamp margins across the Mixed Wood Shield and St. Lawrence Lowlands. Typically found in partially shaded bottomland forests and moist meadows near watercourses. In the Outaouais, found along river shores and wet forested areas. Tolerates a wide range of soil textures and pH conditions, including calcareous seeps.

S10 moist bottomland forests, calcareous seeps; S61 floodplains, swamps, riparian forests; S7 river banks, floodplains, moist forests; S4 low rich woods, wet fields

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Notes

Exceptionally juglone-tolerant, making it one of few tall perennials suitable for planting under black walnut. Thrives in moist woodland edge and riparian guild plantings alongside other moisture-loving natives. Provides tall late-summer structure in the shrub layer where few native forbs reach. May spread aggressively by rhizomes in ideal conditions and is best suited to large-scale naturalistic plantings rather than small garden beds.

S3 juglone tolerant; S29 can be invasive; S10 may spread aggressively; S4 only appropriate for large sites

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

Click here for more info →

Category

Carminative, Burn dressing, Veterinary aid

S28 Chippewa gastrointestinal aid (carminative), burn dressing, veterinary stimulant

Notes

Chippewa used a compound infusion of the root (mixed with Caulophyllum thalictroides) for indigestion. A compound poultice of the blossoms (mixed with Agastache and Solidago) was applied to burns. A compound infusion of the root was also applied externally to the chest and legs of horses as a stimulant.

S28 Chippewa Drug uses: gastrointestinal aid, burn dressing, veterinary aid; S29 confirms carminative + poultice uses

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

Click here for more info →

✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Young shoots and leaves were an important wild green for the Cherokee, who called the plant 'sochan.' Leaves and stems were boiled, fried with fat, or parboiled and rinsed, then cooked in hot grease. Young stems were also eaten raw like celery. Leaves were preserved by drying, freezing, or canning for winter use. The San Felipe also ate young stems like celery. Some caution advised as the plant is reputed to be toxic to livestock.

S28 8 Cherokee food uses + 1 San Felipe use; S29 edible young stems, cooked for good health

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

USDA lists toxicity as None for humans. Cornell Poisonous Plants database does not list this species. However, PFAF and OWSL note the plant is reputed to be poisonous to cattle, sheep, and pigs. The foliage may be somewhat poisonous to some mammalian herbivores. No specific toxins have been identified in the literature.

S11 Toxicity=None; S29 poisonous to cattle/sheep/pigs; S3 toxic to mammals if ingested; S10 foliage may be somewhat poisonous

Seed Source

• OWSL