Family: Asteraceae
sweet black-eyed Susan, sweet coneflower
Etymology: Rudbeckia: named after the Swedish father and son who were professors of botany and predecessors of Linnaeus, O.J. Rudbeck (1630-1702) and O.O. Rudbeck (1660-1740)
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-6' tall forb; stems with dense, short hairs near the top and smooth below
Leaves: oval to elliptical, hairy especially below, stalked, toothed, the larger ones deeply 3-lobed
Flowers: head 1 1/2" - 4" wide; disk purple/brown, 1/3" - 2/3" wide, not elongating in time; 12-21 yellow rays 3/4"- 1 1/2" long; bracts (phyllaries) with whitish hairs near the tips; inflorescence of several to many heads in branched clusters; blooms July-Oct.
Fruits: dry seed with no fluffy pappus
Habitat: full to partial sun; wet to moderate moisture; prairies, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-6' tall forb; stems with dense, short hairs near the top and smooth below
Leaves: oval to elliptical, hairy especially below, stalked, toothed, the larger ones deeply 3-lobed
Flowers: head 1 1/2" - 4" wide; disk purple/brown, 1/3" - 2/3" wide, not elongating in time; 12-21 yellow rays 3/4"- 1 1/2" long; bracts (phyllaries) with whitish hairs near the tips; inflorescence of several to many heads in branched clusters; blooms July-Oct.
Fruits: dry seed with no fluffy pappus
Habitat: full to partial sun; wet to moderate moisture; prairies, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = FACU+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key