The cheerful yellow flower with a chocolate-brown center that's become a meadow staple across America. State flower of Maryland, host plant for several butterflies, and a workhorse of native plant gardens.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called black-eyed Susan and yellow coneflower, is a North American flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It grows to 1 metre tall with daisy-like yellow flower heads. There are numerous cultivars. It is toxic when ingested by cats, but was used medicinally by Native Americans. It is the state flower of Maryland.
Source: Wikipedia — Rudbeckia hirta Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Coarse perennial with bright yellow daisy-like flowers around dark brown-black domed centers. Hairy stems and leaves.
Similar species. Other Rudbeckia species (different size or central cone color). Sunflowers (larger, single stem).
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Long bloom season (June–September) makes it one of the most reliable pollinator plants. Self-seeds prolifically in disturbed soil.
§ Range
Throughout the United States, originally Great Plains
§ Habitat
Prairies, meadows, roadsides, gardens, disturbed open ground
§ Threats
Generally not threatened, but local prairie loss eliminates the wider ecological context this species supports.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the black-eyed susan is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native Rudbeckia in your garden. Support prairie restoration. Avoid mowing meadows during peak bloom (July–August).
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Rudbeckia hirta
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Rudbeckia hirta
- iNaturalist · taxon 53059
- IUCN Red List — search for Rudbeckia hirta
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Rudbeckia hirta
§ Sources cited
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- USDA Plants Database
- iNaturalist
