Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan is a native herbaceous perennial with golden yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer. (Susan Adams/Flickr)
Black-eyed Susan is a native plant with golden yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer.
Appearance:
-
Flowers have bright yellow petals and a brownish-black, dome-shaped center
-
Flowers bloom in June-October
-
Flowers grow on stems with small, rough hairs
-
Green leaves that grow up to 6 inches long
-
Grows to 4 feet tall
Habitat:
-
Grows in fields, meadows and roadsides
-
Often the first plant to appear in newly disturbed fields
-
Prefers full sun
Range:
-
Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
-
After blooming, the flower’s dome-shaped center matures into a seed head full of small, black seeds. The plant then dies.
-
Wind, animals and other natural disturbances spread the seeds
-
New seedlings grow in spring
Other Facts:
-
Gets its name from its black center, or “eye”
-
Attracts birds, bees and butterflies
-
Maryland’s state flower
-
When cut, black-eyed Susans can live in a vase for 6-10 days
Sources and Additional Information:
