black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Common Name: black-eyed susan
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta L.
Family Name: Asteraceae (Compositae) - Aster or Sunflower Family

Life Cycle

introduced perennial, reproducing by seed

Stems

upright, coarse hairs, rough, infrequently branched

Stems of Black-Eyed Susan
Stems of Black-Eyed Susan

Leaves

alternate, lower leaves broadly lanceolate or oblong, short petioled, upper leaves more linear, sessile; all leaves coarsely haired and toothed to weakly toothed, 3 to 5 veined

Stems of Black-Eyed Susan
Stems of Black-Eyed Susan

Flowers

heads of purple-brown disk (tubulate) florets form rounded and elevated cental disk surrounded by orange-yellow ray (ligulate) florets; terminal, long stalked

Flowers of Black-Eyed Susan
Flowers of Black-Eyed Susan
Flowers of Black-Eyed Susan
Flowers of Black-Eyed Susan