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Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan is a common name for the flowering plant *Rudbeckia hirta*, a North American member of the aster family.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Black-Eyed Susan is a common name for the flowering plant *Rudbeckia hirta*, a North American member of the aster family. It is known for its bright yellow ray flowers and dark central disk, and is widely grown as an ornamental wildflower and garden plant.

Description

Black-Eyed Susan is a daisy-like flowering plant with rough, hairy stems and broad yellow petals around a raised central disk. The disk matures into a seed head after flowering.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to North America and grows in a wide range of sunny habitats, including open fields, prairies, roadsides, and open woodlands. It is also widely planted in gardens and may naturalize outside cultivation.

Ecology

The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, flower flies, and other insects. Birds also feed on the seeds after the flowers fade.

Uses and cultivation

Black-Eyed Susan is commonly used as an ornamental garden plant and in wildflower plantings. It is popular because it is easy to grow in sunny conditions and blooms for a long period.

Key facts

  • Black-Eyed Susan is a North American flowering plant in the aster family.
  • It has bright yellow ray florets and a dark brown to black dome-shaped centre.
  • The plant is native to prairies, open woodlands, and roadsides across North America.
  • It is valued by pollinators and birds for nectar, pollen, and seeds.
  • Black-Eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland.
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Canadian context

Black-Eyed Susan is widely known in Canadian gardens and wildflower plantings, and related *Rudbeckia* species are grown across Canada for their long bloom period and pollinator value.

Frequently asked questions

What is Black-Eyed Susan?
Black-Eyed Susan is a common name for *Rudbeckia hirta*, a North American flowering plant in the aster family.
Why is it called Black-Eyed Susan?
The name refers to the flower’s dark central disk, which looks like an eye.
Where does Black-Eyed Susan grow naturally?
It is native to North America and is found in sunny habitats such as prairies, roadsides, and open woods.
What does the flower look like?
It has yellow to orange-yellow petals around a raised dark centre, with rough, hairy stems and leaves.
Is Black-Eyed Susan a perennial?
It can be annual, biennial, or a short-lived perennial, depending on growing conditions and location.
Is Black-Eyed Susan important to pollinators?
Yes. Its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other insects, and its seeds can feed birds.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/black-eyed-Susan-plant
    Supports: Scientific name, family, growth form, native habitat, flower description, ornamental use.
  2. Chesapeake Bay Program — https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/black-eyed-susan
    Supports: Flower description, bloom period, plant height, seed head, naming origin, state flower of Maryland.
  3. Missouri Department of Conservation — https://www.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/black-eyed-susan
    Supports: Family, growth habit, flowerhead description, bloom period.
  4. USDA Plant Guide — https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_ruhi2.pdf
    Supports: Native status and life cycle as annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial.
  5. Backyard Ecology — https://www.backyardecology.net/black-eyed-susan/
    Supports: Native range, family, and pollinator value.
  6. University of Illinois Chicago Heritage Garden — https://heritagegarden.uic.edu/black-eyed-susan-rudbeckia-hirta
    Supports: Native to North America.