Rudbeckia hirta

Rudbeckia hirta, the Black-eyed Susan, with the other common names of: Brown-eyed Susan, Blackiehead, Brown Betty, Brown Daisy (Rudbeckia triloba), Gloriosa Daisy, Golden Jerusalem, Poorland Daisy, Yellow Daisy, and Yellow Ox-eye Daisy. It is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is an upright annual (sometimes biennial or perennial) native to most of North America, and is one of a number of plants with the common name Black-eyed Susan with flowers having dark purplish brown centers. Black-eyed Susans can be established, like most other wildflowers, simply by spreading seeds throughout a designated area. They are able to reseed themselves after the first season.
==Etymology==
The genus name honors Olaus Rudbeck, who was a professor of botany at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and was one of Linnaeus's teachers. The specific name refers to the trichomes (hairs) occurring on leaves and stems.Andy's Northern Ontario Wildflowers: Native Meadow Wildflowers. Black-eyed Susan.
==Growth==
The plant can reach a height of 1 m. It has alternate, mostly basal leaves 10-18 cm long, covered by coarse hair. It flowers from June to August, with inflorescences measuring 5-8 cm in diameter (up to 15 cm in some cultivars), with yellow ray florets circling a brown, domed center of disc florets.Floridata: Rudbeckia hirta.
==Varieties==
There are four varieties:
*Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia. Southeastern United States (South Carolina to Texas).
*Rudbeckia hirta var. floridana. Florida, endemic.
*Rudbeckia hirta var. hirta. Northeastern United States (Maine to Alabama).
*Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima. Widespread in most of North America (Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Alabama and New Mexico; naturalized Washington to California).
==Symbolism and uses==
The Black-eyed Susan was designated the state flower of Maryland in 1918.
Butterflies are attracted to Rudbeckia hirta when planted in large color-masses.
Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden planting; some popular ones include 'Double Gold', 'Indian Summer', and 'Marmalade'.
The roots but not seedheads of Rudbeckia hirta can be used much like the related Echinacea purpurea. It is an astringent used as in a warm infusion as a wash for sores and swellings. The Ojibwa used it as a poultice for snake bitesBlack-Eyed Susan and to make an infusion for treating colds and worms in children. The plant is diuretic and was used by the Menominee and Potawatomi. HerbsRudbeckia hirta Juice from the roots had been used as drops for earaches.Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
The plant contains anthocyanins. Cat.Inist
==Notes==
==References==
*Germplasm Resources Information Network: Rudbeckia hirta
*USDA Plant Profile: Rudbeckia hirta
*Rudbeckia hirta Large format diagnostic photographs
*A Tale of Two Susans non-scholarly essay on the etymology and history
*Knowlton Foote. 2001. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.). New York Flora Association. Newsletter Vol. 13.
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