Page, Lee
Rudbeckia hirta L.
Black-eyed Susan, Common black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
This cheerful, widespread wildflower is considered an
annual to a short-lived
perennial across its range. Bright-yellow, 2-3 in. wide, daisy-like flowers with dark centers are its claim-to-fame. They occur singly atop 1-2 ft. stems. The stems and scattered,
oval leaves are covered with
bristly hairs. Coarse, rough-stemmed plant with daisy-like flower heads made up of showy golden-yellow
ray flowers, with disk flowers forming a brown central cone.
This
native prairie
biennial forms a
rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It is covered with hairs that give it a slightly rough texture. The Green-headed Coneflower (
R. laciniata) has yellow
ray flowers pointing downward, a greenish-yellow disk, and irregularly divided leaves.
Image Gallery:
63 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual Habit: Herb Size Notes: 1-2
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: AB ,
BC ,
MB ,
NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC ,
SK Native Distribution: W. MA to Man. & WY, s. to FL & NM; widely naturalized elsewhere
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Woodlands edge, Opening
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist to dry, well-drained soils. Juglones tolerant
Conditions Comments: The cheerful blossoms of the Black-eyed Susans liven up bouquets. This annuals may bloom longer with some afternoon shade. Birds enjoy the ripe seeds. Black-eyed Susan can become aggressive if given too
perfect an environment and not enough competition.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Color, Showy, Blooms ornamental, Wildflower meadow, Pocket prairie
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds
Use Medicinal: Amerindians used root tea for worms, colds; external wash for sores, snakebites, swelling; root juice for earaches. (Foster & Duke)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Gorgone Checkerspot, Bordered Patch butterfly
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Rudbeckia hirta is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-09
