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Rudbeckia hirta L.

Black-eyed Susan

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusRudbeckiaNamed after the Swedish father and son who were professors of botany and predecessors of Linnaeus, Olaus Johannis Rudbeck (1630-1702) and Olaus Olai Rudbeck (1660-1740)
SpecieshirtaHairy

About plant names...

These cheerful North American natives brighten meadows wherever they crop up, which is practically everywhere. Perhaps this explains why they have so many common names. Black-eyed Susans are also popular with gardeners, and many cultivated varieties have been developed.

Identification: Plants are up to 3' (1 m) tall, but usually closer to half that height. The longest leaves are at the base, where they reach 4-7" (10-18 cm). The lower leaves are diamond-shaped, with three conspicuous veins. Leaves dwindle in size further up the stems, becoming lance-shaped and covered with fuzzy hairs. Attractive yellow ray flowers up to 3" (8 cm) in diameter appear atop hairy, rough-feeling stems. The centers are shaped a bit like a beehive, and composed of tiny dark brown or purplish disk flowers.

Online References:

Rudbeckia hirta on Missouriplants.com

Rudbeckia hirta at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Rudbeckia hirta on floridata.com

Rudbeckia hirta at Illinois Wildflowers

Rudbeckia hirta on Wikipedia

Rudbeckia hirta on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Rudbeckia hirta on the USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Rudbeckia hirta on eFloras

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

Pearl crescent butterflies (Phyciodes tharos) like this one have a special affinity for these flowers. · 7/20/2013 · Wooden Bridge, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4 × 4" (10 × 10 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

8/1/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
≈ 15 × 10" (37 × 24 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

 

Rudbeckia hirta description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


  

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

8/1/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 8.8 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

7/24/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

10/18/2008 · Kimball’s Ice Cream, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 18 × 27" (46 × 67 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

7/26/2020 · Back River Trail, Eaton Farm Preserve, Wiscasset, Maine
≈ 7 × 5" (17 × 13 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 3 × 4½" (7.5 × 11 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

6/30/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 6" (17 × 14 cm)

Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)

8/1/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 15 cm)

Range:

About this map...