Rudbeckia hirta is an upright
annual (sometimes
biennial or
perennial) growing 30–100 cm (12–39 in) tall by 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide. It has alternate, mostly basal
leaves 10–18 cm long, covered by coarse hair, with stout branching stems and daisy-like,
compositeflower heads appearing in late summer and early autumn. In the species, the flowers are up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with yellow
ray florets circling conspicuous brown or black, dome-shaped cone of many small
disc florets.[6] However, extensive breeding has produced a range of sizes and colours, including oranges, reds and browns.[3][7]
Etymology and common names
The
specific epithethirta is Latin for “hairy”, and refers to the
trichomes occurring on leaves and stems.[8] Other common names for this plant include: brown-eyed Susan, brown betty, gloriosa daisy, golden Jerusalem, English bull's eye, poor-land daisy, yellow daisy, and yellow ox-eye daisy.[9]
Rudbeckia hirta is widely cultivated in parks and gardens, for summer bedding schemes, borders, containers, wildflower gardens, prairie-style plantings and cut flowers. Numerous
cultivars have been developed, of which '
Indian Summer'[11] and 'Toto'[12] have gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit.[13] Other popular cultivars include 'Double Gold' and 'Marmalade'.
Gloriosa daisies are
tetraploidcultivars having much larger flower heads than the wild species, often doubled or with contrasting markings on the
ray florets. They were first bred by
Alfred Blakeslee of
Smith College by applying
colchicine to R. hirta seeds; Blakeslee's stock was further developed by
W. Atlee Burpee and introduced to commerce at the 1957
Philadelphia Flower Show.[14] Gloriosa daisies are generally treated as
annuals or short-lived
perennials and are typically grown from seed, though there are some named cultivars.
Symbolism and uses
Maryland state flower
The black-eyed Susan was designated the
state flower of
Maryland in 1918.[5][15] In this capacity it is used in gardens and ceremonies to celebrate, memorialize and show affection for the state of Maryland and its people. The
Preakness Stakes in
Baltimore, Maryland, has been termed "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of Viking Poms, a variety of
chrysanthemums resembling black-eyed Susans, is traditionally placed around the winning horse's neck (actual black-eyed Susans are not in bloom in May during the Preakness).[16]
University of Southern Mississippi
In 1912, the black-eyed Susan became the inspiration for the
University of Southern Mississippi school colors (black and gold), suggested by Florence Burrow Pope, a member of the university's first graduating class. According to Pope: “On a trip home, I saw great masses of Black-Eyed Susans in the pine forests. I decided to encourage my senior class to gather Black-Eyed Susans to spell out the name of the class on sheets to be displayed during exercises on Class Day. I then suggested black and gold as class colors, and my suggestion was adopted."[17]
Dragonflies, voracious eaters of mosquitoes, are attracted by the tiny pollinators of these flowers.[20]
Traditional Native American uses
The plant is thought to be an
herbal medicine by
Native American for various ailments.[21] The roots but not the seedheads of Rudbeckia hirta can be used much like the related Echinacea purpurea with unsubstantiated claims to boost
immunity and fight colds, flu and infections. The
Ojibwa people used it as a
poultice for
snake bites and to make an
infusion for treating colds and worms in children.[22]