# Rudbeckia (*Rudbeckia hirta*) Rudbeckia, also known as Black-eyed Susans, have sunny yellow petals and dark centers. They are perfect for brightening up any garden! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 56 - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens - **Also known as:** Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Daisy ![Rudbeckia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426414/objects/4975.jpg) ## Appearance The Rudbeckia has cheerful daisy-like flowers with bright yellow or orange petals circling a prominent, dark brown or black domed center, resembling an eye. Its stems and leaves are often covered in fine hairs, giving it a somewhat coarse texture. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Rudbeckia ## Interesting facts - Its tough roots can help prevent soil erosion in gardens and fields. - It’s also known as the Black-Eyed Susan, named for its dark central cone! - Native Americans used parts of this plant for many traditional medicines. - The dark center of the flower is actually hundreds of tiny individual flowers! ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Pylon:** Rudbeckia has bright yellow petals and a dark central cone that acts like a landing pad, guiding insects to its nectar. - **Hairy Shield:** Rudbeckia has fuzzy stems and leaves that help it deter hungry herbivores from munching on its tasty parts. - **Super Seeder:** Rudbeckia produces hundreds of tiny seeds from its central cone, allowing it to easily spread and grow in new places. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Biennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Feeds on nectar, aids reproduction - **Eaten by:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Spinus tristis*) — Eats the nutritious seeds - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses the foliage ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rudbeckia? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Rudbeckia? 30-100 cm ### How wide does Rudbeckia spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Rudbeckia? 5-10 cm ### When does Rudbeckia bloom? Summer to Fall ### Is Rudbeckia edible? No ### Is Rudbeckia toxic? Mild ### What is Rudbeckia's lifecycle? Biennial ## Where to spot - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [East Potomac Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-potomac-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Herring Run Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/herring-run-park) — Maryland, US · Park - [Hoffner Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoffner-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Miami Whitewater Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/miami-whitewater-forest) — Ohio, US · Park [View all places to see Rudbeckia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rudbeckia) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Rudbeckia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rudbeckia)