James L. Reveal, Norton-Brown
Herbarium, University of Maryland
Black-eyed Susans are
flowering plants that grow over three feet tall. They have
green leaves up to six inches long.
Black-eyed Susans grow in
open woods, gardens, fields, and roadsides. They grow
quickly in just about any kind of soil.
These plants are most
easily recognized by their flowers. They have yellow flowers
with a brownish-purple center. Flowers are two to three
inches across and grow on a stalk
up to eight inches long.
Black-eyed Susans are
very competitive
and can push other plants out of an area.
Smithsonian
Institution
USDA,
NRCS/PLANTS
Copyright, University of
Illinois at Springfield
Black-eyed Susans are
biennial,
which means they live for two years. In the first year, the
plant grows a rosette,
which is a group of leaves growing from the center, low to
the ground. In the second year, the plant sends up flower
stalks. At the end of the second year, the plant
dies.
Butterflies, bees, flies,
and other insects visit flowers for nectar.
When they drink nectar, they accidentally move pollen from
one plant to another. This allows the plant to grow fruits
and seeds, which are lightweight and travel by
wind.
Black-eyed Susans bloom
from June to October.
Robert R. Kowal,
Wisconsin State Herbarium
Black-eyed Susans are a
pioneer
plant. That means they are one of the first plants to grow
in a new field. For instance, if a fire burns down part of a
forest, this plant will be one of the first to start
growing.
Other plants that often
grow near Black-eyed Susans include: Red Maple, Eastern
White Pine, Eastern Redcedar, White Oak, Black Oak, American
Beech, Silver Maple, American Elm, Virginia Pine, Loblolly
Pine, Goldenrod, sedges, and Bracken Fern.
Snails, slugs, and aphids
eat the leaves of this plant. Rabbits and deer eat the
entire plant.
Some species of fungi
grow on the roots of Black-eyed Susan. The fungi pull
nutrients from the roots and, at the same time, pass
nutrients to the plant from the soil.
Black-eyed Susans are
considered beautiful plants and many people include them in their
gardens. They are also help attract butterflies. Sometimes they crowd
out other plants and need to be controlled.
