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.

small tan seeds next to ruler showing size.

Seeds (scale is in 1/16 inch increments)

small green seedling

Seedling

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Juvenile

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Distinguishing Characteristics

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Mature

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