Rudbeckia hirta

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Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta flowerhead
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Rudbeckia
Species: R. hirta
Binomial name
Rudbeckia hirta
L.

Rudbeckia hirta, the Black-eyed Susan, with the other common names of: Brown-eyed Susan, 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.

Contents

[edit] 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 epithet refers to the trichomes (hairs) occurring on leaves and stems.[1]

[edit] 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.[2]

[edit] 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).

[edit] Symbolism and uses

The Black-eyed Susan was designated the state flower of Maryland in 1918.[3]

Butterflies are attracted to Rudbeckia hirta when planted in large color-masses.[4]

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden planting; some popular ones include 'Double Gold', 'Indian Summer', and 'Marmalade'.

[edit] Traditional medicine

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.[citation needed] The Ojibwa used it as a poultice for snake bites[5] and to make an infusion for treating colds and worms in children. The plant is diuretic and was used by the Menominee and Potawatomi. [6][7] Juice from the roots had been used as drops for earaches.[8]

The plant contains anthocyanins. [9]

[edit] Gallery

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Andy's Northern Ontario Wildflowers: Native Meadow Wildflowers. Black-eyed Susan.
  2. ^ Floridata: Rudbeckia hirta.
  3. ^ "Fiscal and Policy Notes (HB 345)". Department of Legislative Services - Maryland General Assembly. 2010. http://mlis.state.md.us/google_docs$/2010rs/fnotes/bil_0005/HB0345.PDF. Retrieved 2010-03-13. 
  4. ^ Schillo, Rebecca (2011). Cummings, Nina. ed. "Native Landscaping Takes Root in Chicago". In The Field: 13. 
  5. ^ Black-Eyed Susan
  6. ^ Herbs
  7. ^ Rudbeckia hirta
  8. ^ Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
  9. ^ Cat.Inist

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rudbeckia hirta
Wikiversity has bloom time data for Rudbeckia hirta on the Bloom Clock
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudbeckia_hirta&oldid=473214673"
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