Bloomipedia
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Photo: riya_s via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–August across the U.S.

★ Official state flower of Maryland (1918)Native in the lower 48

Sunny yellow petals around a dark brown center. This cheerful North American native lights up New Hampshire fields all summer.

47states where USDA records it
30Bloomipedia state lists include it
63,854U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin

🏅
Maryland's official state flower since 1918. Visit the Maryland page → Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 7-306

Fun facts

  • It's the state flower of Maryland. Wikipedia: List of U.S. state flowers
  • It's in the aster family (Asteraceae) and is native to North America. It's also called yellow coneflower. Wikipedia
  • It's usually an annual, but it can also live as a biennial or a short-lived perennial. Wikipedia USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS records it in 47 states plus Washington, D.C. In Alaska, it's listed as introduced. USDA PLANTS
  • Butterflies love it. It's a caterpillar host plant for the bordered patch, gorgone checkerspot, and silvery checkerspot. Wikipedia
  • Gardeners can choose from numerous cultivars. Wikipedia
✨ Did you know?

Dragonflies are drawn to black-eyed Susans too, because of all the tiny pollinators visiting the flowers. Wikipedia

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (15,223 records)
Bloom time in the 30 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
TexasNativeApril–June12,973
MinnesotaNativeJune–September4,368
OhioNativeJune–October3,543
WisconsinNativeJune–August3,535
New YorkNativeJune–September3,237
IllinoisNativeJune–August3,231
VirginiaNativeJune–August2,576
MichiganNativeJune–August2,566
PennsylvaniaNativeJune–September2,099
MassachusettsNativeJune–September1,868
MissouriNativeJune–July1,693
ArkansasNativeMay–July1,474
VermontIntroducedJune–August1,279
New JerseyNativeJune–September1,193
IowaNativeJune–August1,096
OklahomaNativeMay–July1,088
MarylandNativeJune–August1,084
MaineNativeJuly–September1,017
New HampshireNativeJune–August878
IndianaNativeJune–August844
MississippiNativeMay–July725
AlabamaNativeMay–July681
ConnecticutNativeJune–August661
KansasNativeJune–July646
South DakotaNativeJuly–August547
LouisianaNativefew records (34)452
NebraskaNativefew records (38)390
Rhode IslandNativeJune–August240
DelawareNativeJune–August236
North DakotaNativefew records (36)208

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 21 of our 30 states.
See each state
Texas
Not listed Not on Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Texas. 31 TAC 69.8
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: S5, secure in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: S5, secure in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: SH, possibly extirpated (known only from historical records) in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Nebraska
Not listed Not on Nebraska threatened and endangered species (163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4, § 004). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Nebraska. 163 NAC 4-004
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arkansas.
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oklahoma.
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Indiana.
Mississippi
No list Mississippi has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Mississippi ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Mississippi.
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alabama.
Kansas
No list Kansas's endangered and threatened list (K.A.R. 115-15-1) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's Kansas ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Kansas.
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
Louisiana
No list Louisiana has no state list of endangered or threatened plants separate from the federal list, so we show federal status and NatureServe's Louisiana ranks. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Louisiana.
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in North Dakota.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension, ASPCA) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people. NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

We couldn't find a black-eyed Susan entry in the ASPCA plant database.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records black-eyed Susan in 47 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.

Texas counties with USDA records: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cass, Chambers, Comanche, Coryell, Dallas, DeWitt, Denton, Erath, Fannin, Frio, Galveston, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Houston, Hunt, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, La Salle, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Live Oak, Llano, Madison, Marion, Mason, McLennan, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Parker, Polk, Real, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Shelby, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Uvalde, Victoria, Walker, Washington, Willacy, Williamson, Wise, Wood, Zapata, Zavala.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright.

Ohio counties with USDA records: Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Darke, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington, Wayne, Wood, Wyandot.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Black-eyed Susan a high shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -23 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-23 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
150
Annual precipitation range
28 to 65 inches
Minimum root depth
10 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Rapid
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Fall, Winter and Spring
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RUHI2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Introduced; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 1691 counties across 45 states; the most are in Illinois (102), Virginia (97), Kentucky (87).

Other Rudbeckia on Bloomipedia (4): Cutleaf coneflower, Brown-eyed susan, Clasping coneflower, Western coneflower.

More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Bull thistle, Common dandelion, Firewheel.

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Sources