Black-eyed Susan - Maryland State Flower

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) - Maryland State Flower Description: Black-eyed susan is an annual or short-lived perennial herb. It has hairy, ovate to lance-shaped leaves and stems which are scratchy to the touch. The yellow flower heads may be up to 3 inches in diameter and have purplish to black centers. It typically flowers from June to July. Fall germinating seedlings and perenniating plants overwinter as a low-growing rosette of leaves.

Uses: This plant is used mainly for landscape beautification. It has potential for use in cultivated, garden situations, in naturalized prairie or meadow plantings, and along roadsides.

Site adaptation: Black-eyed susan prefers full sun, but can be grown in light shade. On sites that are heavily shaded, plants produce few flowers and become tall and leggy. It is adapted many soil types, but prefers a well-drained soil. It generally will not persist on poorly drained sites. When growing on rich soils, high in organic matter, plants produce rank growth and are subject to wind or rain damage.

All photographs in the USDA Online Photography Center site are in the public domain. You may use them as you wish, with our blessing, however they may not be used to infer or imply USDA endorsement of any product or position. Neither should they be used to distort the reality of the image they portray.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) The Black Eyed Susan has been the official Maryland flower since 1918. A yellow daisy or cornflower, it blooms in late summer.

Leave a comment, make a request, Let this small sampling be a guide to better quality, more plentiful, public domain, royalty free, copyright free, high resolution, images, stock photos, jpeg, jpg, free for commercial use, clip art, clipart, clip-art.