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Black-eyed Susan Facts

Black-eyed Susan Facts
Black-eyed Susan is herbaceous plant that belongs to the aster family. It originates from eastern and central parts of the USA, but it can be found all over North America today. Black-eyed Susan prefers areas with warm climate. It tolerates moist and very dry soil, but it thrives the best on sandy, well-drained soil. Black-eyed Susan grows in the fields, prairies, open woodlands and gardens. It is one of the first plants that will appear in areas destroyed by fire (pioneer species). There are around 90 varieties of black-eyed Susan that are mostly cultivated in ornamental purposes.
Interesting Black-eyed Susan Facts:
Black-eyed Susan has erect, multi-branched stem that can reach 12 to 39 inches in height and 12 to 18 inches in width. It has robust stem covered with stiff hairs.
Black-eyed Susan produces oblong and elliptical leaves arranged in the form of rosette (during the first year of growth) or alternately along the stem (during the second year). Leaves can be smooth or toothed on the edges. They have rough texture.
Black-eyed Susan produces large solitary flower head on top of the flowering stalk. Flower head consists of 8 to 21 yellow-orange ray florets on the periphery and numerous dark purple or dark brown disk florets in the center. Ray florets are petal-like. Cluster of disk florets is cone-shaped. Black-eyed Susan produces flowers with both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers).
Black-eyed Susan blooms from June to September. Flowers attract bees and butterflies, main pollinators of this plant.
Fruit of black-eyed Susan is brown achene (type of dry fruit). Black-eyed Susan produces numerous small black seed.
Black-eyed Susan propagates via seed.
Black-eyed Susan represents important source of food and shelter for many birds and animals (slugs, rabbits and deer like to eat this plant). Silvery Checkerspot butterfly lays eggs on the black-eyed Susan (leaves represent basic source of food for the caterpillars after hatching).
Scientific name of Black-eyed Susan is "Rudbeckia", in honor of Olaus Rudbeck, famous Swedish botanist.
Black-eyed Susan is also known as "gloriosa daisy" due to daisy-like flowers that are available in various shades of yellow, golden and orange color.
Black-eyed Susan can be cultivated to prevent erosion of the soil.
"Indian Summer", "Toto" and "Double Gold" are varieties of black-eyed Susan that are frequently cultivated in gardens. Black-eyed Susan can be also used as cut flowers for the preparation of various bouquets (it has vase life of 10 days).
Black-eyed Susan is state flower of Maryland since the April 18th, 1918.
Native Americans used black-eyed Susan in treatment of common cold, flu, snake bites, various infections, swelling and earache.
Black-eyed Susan symbolizes encouragement and justice in the language of flowers.
Black-eyed Susan can be cultivated as annual (lifespan: one year) or biennial (lifespan: 2 years) plant.


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