Category: #FlowerHour

Rudbeckia hirta

“My name is Susan, Black-Eyed Susan I am called, / I am hardy, one real tough fighting flower… / so, I went deep beneath the dark earth, waiting . . . / then, one day I peaked out- and decided to grow.”

Anonymous / Contributor, “Black-Eyed Susan” (via PoetrySoup)

On Wednesday, in the United States of America we celebrated Veterans Day while other countries celebrated Remembrance Day. In the U. S. it is a federally established holiday, therefore schools were closed.

In lieu of having Coleman practice school work (aka reading and arithmetic) I chose to give him a day off of work. Instead, Coleman, Sophia and I went to Lineberger Park and on to Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway for a bit of hiking.

Why am I mentioning hiking in a park and greenway? Near the beginning of Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway is a small flower garden maintained by the Rotary Club of Gastonia.

The plaque in front of the garden states:

Rotary International
This water fountain is dedicated to The City of Gastonia by the Rotary Club of Gastonia and is a tribute to Rotary International’s global movement to provide clean water and sanitation.

“Bright and cheerful Black-eyed Susan / It seems you grow all over; / In gardens and beside the road / Happy flower, quite the rover.”

~ Sam Kauffman (Poet/Writer)

The Flowers that drew my attention are not Sunflowers, but rather Rudbeckia hirta, better known as Black-eyed Susan. They’re bright yellow petals surround a distinctive black or dark brown central cone.

Black-eyed Susans are found all across America growing in fields, meadows, and along roadsides. Did you know that they are considered pioneer plants? They’re pioneer plants due to the fact that they are one of the first species to grow and thrive in bare, damaged, or disturbed soil where few other plants can survive.

Black-eyed Susans are also a favourite in gardens since they’re quite hardy and relatively easy to care for. Their typical growth and blooming season runs from summer through early autumn. They bring a splash of colour to landscapes.

The name Rudbeckia was given by Carl Linnaeus to honor his patron and fellow botanist at Uppsala University and also the late father of his patron, Olaf Rudbeck the younger and Olaf Rudbeck the elder. The elder Olaf Rudbeck is a distinguished Naturalist, Philologist, and Doctor of Medicine. He discovered the lymphatic system, and founded Sweden’s first botanic garden, which is now called the Linnaean Garden at Uppsala.

Black-eyed Susan (aka Rudbeckia Horta) has an impressive long history in traditional North American herbalism for treating colds, infections, inflammation, and minor wounds. Historically speaking, several Native American tribes including the Cherokee, Iroquois, Menominee, and Potawatomi have prepared infusions, poultices, and washes using primarily the plant’s roots.

Interesting fun facts:

• A single bloom is actually a composite flower head. The bright yellow petals are sterile ray florets that draw bees to it. The dark cone in the middle is packed with with dozens of tiny, fertile disc flowers that bloom in rings from the outside in.
• They are not actually Black-eyed. Regardless of the name, the central cone is never truly black. If you look closely, it is a rich deep chocolate brown or dark purplish-brown.
• Prior to Carl Linnaeus shortened its name to Rudbeckia, it was called Obeliscotheca integrifolia radio aureo umbone atro rubente.
• They are a symbol of encouragement, resilience, and justice. They are an excellent gift to give a friend going through hard times.
• They are Natural Dye Makers. Early settlers and indigenous tribes would boil the blooms and roots to create rich yellow, gold, and olive-green dyes for fabrics and baskets.
• The state of Maryland adopted the Black-eyed Susan as its state flower in 1918 because its black and gold colours match the state flag and the Calvert family crest.

Click on images to enlarge.

Terri’s The #Flower Hour #56-Fun With Sunflowers

Also posting in remembrance of … 

Bren’s Floral Friday 

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2026 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.