Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Family: Asteraceae · Also called Rudbeckia, Gloriosa Daisy, Brown Betty, Coreopsis hirta, Helianthus hirtus, Centrocarpha hirta
Earthy & Warm · Summer–Autumn bloomer
Black-eyed Susan is the golden coin of American summer, cheerful daisy-form flowers with bright yellow rays surrounding a distinctive dark chocolate-brown cone. They bloom in waves across prairies, roadsides, and meadow gardens, creating rivers of gold that attract butterflies and goldfinches in equal measure.
justice, encouragement, motivation
In the Victorian language of flowers, black-eyed susan means “Justice and encouragement”. Named for Olof Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist mentor of Linnaeus. Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland, where it's associated with the Baltimore Orioles' colors. Native Americans used root tea medicinally. It's one of the most recognizable American wildflowers, a symbol of prairie resilience.
Did You Know?
The dark 'eye' is actually hundreds of tiny tubular florets packed onto a cone-shaped receptacle. Each tiny floret opens in sequence from the outside in, creating a ring of pollen that slowly moves toward the center, a strategy that keeps pollinators coming back for days. A single plant can produce over 1 million seeds in its lifetime.
Prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and roadsides across central and eastern North America
Black-Eyed Susan is native to North America. It naturally grows in prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and roadsides across central and eastern north america.
Scent Profile
“A faint earthy sweetness with a hint of anise, not a perfume flower, but crush the leaves and you'll find a distinctive, slightly sharp green scent characteristic of prairie plants.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameRudbeckia hirta
- FamilyAsteraceae
- Native ToNorth America
- Bloom SeasonSummer–Autumn
- LifespanBiennial
Cultural Significance
Named for Olof Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist mentor of Linnaeus. Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland, where it's associated with the Baltimore Orioles' colors. Native Americans used root tea medicinally. It's one of the most recognizable American wildflowers, a symbol of prairie resilience.