Rudbeckia hirta Rudbeckia hirta also known as Black-eyed Susan is a favorite summertime flower member of the Asteraceae family,

the sunflower family known for the hairs growing on the leaves and stems. Due to the prickliness of the hairs, minor skin irritations or rashes may occur. Actually, Black-eyed Susan is a common name for many flowers having dark purplish centers. The range of The Susan varies around the northeastern United states; ranging from Maine to Alabama. The Susan may grow as tall one meter while its diamond-shaped, grayish-green leaves may grow from ten to eighteen centimeters long. The flower may have a diameter of about two to three inches. For their first year of growth, black-eyed Susans stay in a basal rosette, and then they produce upright branching stems with golden flower petals in their second year. After flowering and seed maturation, the plants die. Black-eyed Susans, once established, are fairly drought tolerant, though they grow best in regularly watered soil that does not completely dry out. Susans grow in open woods, gardens, along roadsides, and do fine in almost any kind of soil. Black-eyed Susan is a resource for counteracting soil erosion. It is an important component in critical area treatment plantings along with grasses when used along road cuts, hillsides, and other areas subject to erosion. This plant also offers protection and food for several species of birds. Black-eyed Susans are pioneer species and are amongst the first species to take part of primary succession. Black-eyed Susans are also sources of foods for snails, slugs, aphids, insects, rabbits, and deer. Black-eyed Susans are also most influential for when resolving the lovers question as the original flower used for she loves me, she loves me not, she loves me This plant was also established as the state flower of Maryland in 1918.