Brown-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta C. Linnaeus

Asteraceae : Heliantheae

One of our most well-known native plants, the Brown-Eyed Susan is an easy plant to identify. Its infertile ray flowers (petals) are either solid golden yellow or they may have a reddish-brown/reddish-purple spot at the base. Used some in gardens the Brown-Eyed Susan should be used much more frequently, as with most native plants. With flowers lasting days after being cut, it is even good for decorating inside your home. The whole plant will give you greens and yellows when used as a dye.

It also has many medicinal properties. According to Geyata Ajilvsgi, a tea made from the dried leaves and flowers is a pleasant tonic. But it doesn't stop there. A decoction of the root was used by American Indians for worms, colds and as an external wash for snakebites, sores and swelling. The juice of the root has been used for earaches. Promising recent research has shown that this wonderful native plant may also be an immune system stimulant! Be aware when collecting the plant that it is bristly and may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Behind the Name :

Although I grew up using the common name "Brown-Eyed Susan", the original common name is "Black-Eyed Susan". Behind this original common name of "Black-Eyed Susan" is an interesting song. "Black-Eyed Susan" was an 18-century ballad written by the English poet and songwriter John Gay (1685-1732). Another common name is Hairy Coneflower.

Rudbeckia is a North American genus of 15 species.

There are two varieties of Rudbeckia hirta:

1. Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia
   = Rudbeckia hirta C. Linnaeus var. angustifolia (T. Moore) R. Perdue
   syn = Rudbeckia bicolor T. Nuttall
   syn = Rudbeckia divergens T. Moore
   syn = Rudbeckia floridana var. angustifolia T. Moore


2. Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima
   = Rudbeckia hirta C. Linnaeus var. pulcherrima O. Farwell
   syn = Rudbeckia flexuosa
   syn = Rudbeckia hirta var. corymbifera M. Fernald
   syn = Rudbeckia hirta var. lanceolata (G. Bischoff) E. Core
   syn = Rudbeckia hirta var. sericea (T. Moore) M. Fernald
   syn = Rudbeckia hirta var. serotina (T. Nuttall) E. Core
   syn = Rudbeckia longipes T. Moore
   syn = Rudbeckia sericea T. Moore
   syn = Rudbeckia serotina T. Nuttall
   syn = Rudbeckia serotina var. corymbifera (M. Fernald) M. Fernald & B. Schubert
   syn = Rudbeckia serotina var. lanceolata (G. Bischoff) M. Fernald & B. Schubert
   syn = Rudbeckia serotina var. sericea (T. Moore) M. Fernald & B. Schubert

Definitions:

Rudbeckia -

Linnaeus (creator of the binomial system used to name all life forms) named this genus in honor of his mentor Olaus Olai Rudbeck, Jr. (1660-1740) and his father Olaus Johannis Rudbeck, Sr. (1630-1702). Both Rudbecks were Swedish botanists and professors at the college where Linnaeus studied.

hirta -

hairy (Latin)

angustifolia -

From the Greek "angust" (drawn together, narrow) and "folium" (leaf); means narrow leaved

pulcherrima-

From the Greek "pulcher" (beautiful) and "rimus" (most so, to the greatest degree); means prettiest

Wildlife :

Rudbeckia is a limited winter white-tail deer browse. Its seeds are relished by songbirds and rodents.

[Butterflies]

Brown-eyed Susan has lots of both nectar and pollen. It is attractive to all kinds of insects.

• Silvery Checkerspot (Charidryas nycteis) - larval food

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, native plant, annual, biennial, short-lived perennial, herb, full sun, partial shade, spring flowers, summer flowers, fall flowers, yellow flowers, orange flowers, medicinal plant, dye plant, garden worthy, colony forming, cut flowers, propagate by seed, prairies, pastures, roadsides, fields, disturbed sites, woodland openings, seed-eating birds, butterflies, nectar plant, larval host (Bordered Patch and Gorgone Checkerspot), native plant, Sunflower family, Aster family, Compositae, Composite famliy, Comps, coneflower, cone-flower

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: species account
• USDA PLANTS Database: plant profile
• Flora of North America: plant details page, including key to varieties
• Flora of North America: key to the Rudbeckia genus
• Native American Seed: plant details and ability to purchase seed (if available)
• Dave's Garden: plant details and seed availability