Blackeyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Rudbeckia
- Species:
- Rudbeckia hirta
- USDA Symbol:
- RUHI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, orange, brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Isophrictis similiella, stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), Charidryas gorgone, orange oakleaf (Charidryas nycteis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Nomada texana, Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Zadontomerus Ashmead Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire and readily reseeds into burned areas. Common in fire-maintained prairies and meadows.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- tolerates poor soil conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates but is not always required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand from locally native plants or near specific mile markers on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The plant prefers a well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun to very light shade. Ash residue on the surface of the soil may inhibit germination.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.