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Black Eyed Susan

What is black eyed susan?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name *Rudbeckia hirta*[1]
Family Asteraceae[1]
Flower color yellow to orange rays[1]
Center color dark conical disks[1]
Native region North America[1]
Common use ornamental garden plant[1]

Black-eyed Susan is a North American flower, scientifically known as *Rudbeckia hirta*.

Context

Black-eyed Susan, or *Rudbeckia hirta*, is a North American flower with yellow to orange rays and a dark center. It is commonly used as an ornamental garden plant and is the state flower of Maryland. The plant grows as annuals or short-lived perennials and attracts birds and butterflies. It is often confused with *Thunbergia alata* (black-eyed Susan vine) [2].

Documented claims

  • Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland. [2]
  • The plant grows as annuals or short-lived perennials. [1]
  • It thrives in prairies and open woodlands. [1]
  • The flower attracts birds and butterflies. [1]
  • It is often confused with *Thunbergia alata* (black-eyed Susan vine). [2]

Questions and answers

Do black-eyed Susans come back every year?

Black-eyed Susans can come back every year as they are annuals or short-lived perennials [1].

Are black-eyed susans annuals or perennials?

Black-eyed Susans are annuals or short-lived perennials [1].

Sources

  1. BLACK-EYED SUSAN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Black-eyed Susan - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com — vocabulary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things