Named 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)
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.
Pearl crescent butterflies (Phyciodes tharos) like this one have a special affinity for these flowers. · 7/20/2013 · Wooden Bridge, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm)
6/27/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
6/27/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
8/1/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (37 × 24 cm)
7/8/2016 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Massachusetts
7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
Rudbeckia hirta description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Oct 2023.