Black-eyed Susans

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Rudbeckia hirta

DESCRIPTION

Also called Brown-eyed Susans, Black-eyed Susans can grow from approximately 30 to 100 centimetres tall on stiff stems that have many bristly hairs. Leaves grow alternately on the stem, with the majority near the base, all having hairs. Flower heads can be up to 10 centimetres wide and are usually a solid yellow with a brown centre but some have variations with both reddy-brown markings and, at times, having a darker yellow near the centre of the flower and paler yellow on the tips of the petals. Rudbeckia hirta blooms in late summer for most areas where they are found.

RANGE

Brown-eyed Susans can be found in most provinces. While they are naturalized in many places, some respected sources consider them native to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario although some others list the native range as extending into Nova Scotia.

HABITAT

Rudbeckia hirta can be found in dry areas such as prairies, woodland edges and roadsides.

DIET

BEHAVIOUR

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PRIMARY ECOSYSTEM ROLES

Rudbeckia hirta supports a variety of pollinators including bees, flower flies, wasps, butterflies and beetles.

Black-eyed Susans serve as a larval host plant for some butterflies, meaning they lay their eggs on the leaves of these plants for their larvae (caterpillars) to feed on until they become adult butterflies.

Once pollinated and the flowers are spent, leave them to develop seed heads which will be food for birds such as goldfinches, chickadees and juncos that overwinter in Canada.