Specimen record
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Description
A cheerful biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower that lights up meadows and roadsides with its golden-yellow ray flowers surrounding a prominent dark brown-black central cone. The entire plant is rough-hairy to the touch. It is extremely common along roadsides and in disturbed meadows throughout central Massachusetts and blooms prolifically throughout July and August.
Identification tips
- 1Golden-yellow ray flowers (8–20) surrounding a dark brown-black domed center
- 2Entire plant rough-hairy (hispid) on stems and leaves
- 3Basal leaves spatula-shaped; stem leaves narrower and alternate
- 4Flower heads 5–8 cm across on long stalks
- 5Grows 30–100 cm tall in full sun on roadsides and in meadows
Specimen & preservation notes
Press flower heads face-down with rays spread flat. The yellow color preserves well. Include basal and stem leaves to show the difference. Collect multiple flower heads at different stages (bud, open, seeding) for a complete specimen.
Collection calendar
| Wk | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||
| 4 |
Collection notes
Season check
Observed bloom also extends into June and September.
Flowering records: 432 iNaturalist observations, Massachusetts · Nearby: 602 observations within 25 km