Great Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Rudbeckia
- Species:
- Rudbeckia maxima
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul, aug, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Epiblema tripartitana, southern emerald (Synchlora frondaria)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers lowland areas with periodic flooding