FNPS Plant Database

Rudbeckia spp.

blackeyed-susan
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

blackeyed-susan

Synonym(s):

Rudbeckia nitida, Rudbeckia graminifolia, Rudbeckia auriculata, Rudbeckia riloba

Genus species:

Rudbeckia spp.

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-4 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow,brown

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden. All the species listed should grow well in garden settings. They are all grown for their showy flowers (most are yellow, though we do have one with small dark red ray flowers).

Considerations:

Availability:

Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. If you collect, be sure you have landowner permission.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds

Attract butterflies, bees and wasps.

Small seed-eating birds pick out the seeds from the mature flower heads.

Native Habitats:

Vary by species. Mostly sandhills, bogs, roadsides, ruderal.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Multiple species are native to Florida.  Most are attractive and many are easy to grow.  This is a catch-all for species not listed individually.  Please choose those that are appropriate for your area.  

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Brakie, M. (2019). Plant Guide for Black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ). ( ). Accessed 2026. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, East Texas Plant Materials Center. Nacogdoches, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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