#echinecea

Echinacea is from the Greek word for hedgehog, flower named for its spiny center. Coneflower, we say, lacking the romance of the Greek name.

The thing about hedgehogs is they practice biological warfare. Which we knew about snakes and their venom. But hedgehogs? So cute

it’s hard to believe. They can roll themselves in their excrement, which is stickier than typical poo. (Funny, right? Hedgehogs? Stickier? Never mind.)

Their crap coats their spines (not quills, just hair— but when they fluff up it’s still called quilling) and then the salmonella in their shit transmits to any

enemy that dares draw near enough to touch. Their foe sees purple, hugs its belly, suffers other less-poetic symptoms. All cuties have some ability to defend.

Vicious, I say. Relentless. You, sir, ought not attack me. I have coated myself with crap and I’m prepared to sicken you. Bleed out from your rectum. Hah! Take that.

Luckily, Echinacea Purpurea, purple coneflower, is a harmless hedgehog.

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The Harmless Hedgehog

Tracy May Adair

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Essential Entomology: