Black-Eyed
Susan Rudbeckia
hirta L.
Other
Name: Brown-Eyed Susan
Description:
The handsome, familiar Black-eyed Susan is a native, warm-season
perennial herb belonging to the Composite, or aster family. Black-eyed Susan
grows to a height up to 70 cm.
Leaf: The alternate, lance-shaped, toothed leaves are thick and rough. There are several parallel veins running along the length of each leaf. The upper leaves are smaller and sessile. Stiff hairs cover the leaves and stems.
Flower: The flowers have ten to twenty orange to
yellow-orange rays and dark purple brown dome-shaped disks. Each head is about
6-7 cm broad. The rays lack pistils and stamens. The fruit and seed are formed
by the disk flowers.
Blooming months: July-August.
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Discussion:
Early settlers made a tea from the leaves for us as a kidney stimulant. A
yellow dye can be made from the plant. This plant is often brought into gardens
because of its showy flowers.
Distribution:
This species is found in all
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers
Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Plants
of
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