Seed collected from MPF’s Stilwell Prairie. Photo: Scott Lenharth
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Distinguishing Characteristics
Basal leaves densely hairy, up to 5-inches long and 1-inch wide, with leaf base narrowly tapering along the leaf stalk
Height
1 to 3 feet
Blooms
June to October
Description
This short-lived perennial has a single flower head at the top of each stem branch. Flower heads are 2 to 3 inches across with 10 to 20 ray flowers around a dome-shaped disk.
Comments
Grows on prairies, savannas, glades and disturbed sites. A mainstay in most wildflower seeding mixes,it does best in dry to average soils and will bloom the first year from seed. While seeds are typically too small to be of food value for wildlife, it attracts a variety of insects that are a critical food source for grassland wildlife.

Seeds (scale is in 1/16 inch increments)

Seedling

Juvenile

Distinguishing Characteristics

Mature