Rudbeckia hirta

This cheerful, widespread wildflower is considered an annual to a short-lived perennial across its range. Bright-yellow, 2-3 in. wide, daisy-like flowers with dark centers are its claim to fame. They occur singly atop 1-2 ft. stems. The stems and scattered oval leaves are covered with bristly hairs.

This native prairie biennial forms a rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It is covered with hairs that give it a slightly rough texture. Yellow ray flowers point downward on the Green-headed Coneflower (R. laciniata), which has an irregularly divided disk and a yellowish greenish disc.

Butterfly Host Plant: Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Height: 2.5’
Spread: 2’
Bloom: June-October
Light: Sun, part shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Dry, to medium
Zone:  3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Origin: the United States, widely naturalized