Native to eastern North America and present to some extent in the Midwest United States. Its habitats include dry open woods, prairies and barrens. Echinacea is a genus of nine plant species in the aster family native to North America. Echinacea species were used by native groups for medicinal purposes than any other plant. Today Echinacea is the best selling herb in health-food stores accounting for nearly 10 percent of total sales in the U.S.