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Rudbeckia hirta - L.

Common Name Black Eyed Susan, Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy, Marguerite Jaune
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards This plant is reputed to be poisonous to cattle, sheep and pigs[155].
Habitats Disturbed soils in Texas[274].
Range N. America. An occasional garden escape in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan, Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy, Marguerite Jaune


Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan, Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy, Marguerite Jaune
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Circeus

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Orange, Red, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rudbeckia hirta is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, hoverflies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of colds, dropsy and worms in children[257]. A warm infusion of the root has been used as a wash on sores and snake bites[257]. The ooze from the roots has been used as drops to treat earaches[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Specimen. Succeeds in an ordinary medium soil in sun or shade[111]. Requires a moist soil[1]. Prefers a well-drained soil[188]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. This species is a biennial or short-lived perennial[200]. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K]. The seed can also be sown in situ[111].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rudbeckia laciniataCone Flower, Cutleaf coneflower, Green Headed ConeflowerPerennial2.4 3-7 MLMHSNM111

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Andrew Strong   Sun Aug 20 2006

I do not want Rudbeckia hirta; I want the actual black eyed susan. I had some years back and can't find it anymore. It is a large daisy like plant and not a cone flower.

dee   Mon Oct 2 2006

hi i have a type of rudbeckia in my garden trying to find out which one mine is huge about 6 ft tall big spray on yellow daisy like flowers from sept through october now! lots have grown from one random plant 3 yrs ago... i dont know if i planted it or it just arrived if you reply i may be able to send you one or some seed i am in uk regards dee xx [email protected]

IHarold Bellingham   Wed May 16 2007

I toured Canada from Australia last year and bought a blouse home that I purchased.Impregnated in the label were seeds of Canada's native flowers.I got Black Eyed Susan to grow and it has been flowering for a few months with 100 flowers on it.It is bright yellow with black cone,nearly 3ft high. What's it's name.

Bryan French   Fri Jul 13 2007

Rudbeckia hirta is the actual Black Eyed Susan. The "cone" of R. hirta is not as large as other plants which are called "coneflower" and the "cone" (or disk) of R. hirta is also slightly depressed as are several dasies. Narrow-Leafed Sunflower (Heilanthus angustidolius) and Showy Sunflower (H. laetiflorus) are at times mistaken for and have been sold as "Black Eyed Susan."

Benjamin   Tue Jul 21 2009

the black eyed susan i'm familiar with is Rudbeckia Serotina, according to Newcomb's Wildflower Guide.

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