R. Fraley

Black-eyed Susan

(Rudbeckia hirta)

A bright prairie coneflower — golden petals and a dark velvet disk catching the summer light in Minnesota grasslands.

Black-eyed Susan in Minnesota grassland
Black-eyed Susan in Minnesota grassland
The Black-eyed Susan stands among summer grasses, its golden rays unfurling from a dark central cone. A native wildflower of North America, it thrives in open prairies, roadsides, and disturbed soil — a symbol of resilience and renewal.
Size: 4804×3203

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 800 • Aperture f/5.0 • Shutter 1/200 s

Black-eyed Susan in early bloom
Black-eyed Susan in early bloom
A flower halfway to full radiance.
The petals curve gently backward as they open, revealing the dark, raised cone that gives the species its name. A favorite of bees and butterflies, it’s both nectar source and midwestern icon.
Size: 4170×2780

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 640 • Aperture f/4.0 • Shutter 1/250 s

Black-eyed Susans in summer prairie
Black-eyed Susans in summer prairie
Bright blooms scattered among tallgrass and wind.
Each blossom faces the sun, its yellow petals surrounding a seed-rich core soon to darken with maturity. Together, they define the midwestern meadow’s summer palette.
Size: 5309×3539

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 400 • Aperture f/4.5 • Shutter 1/320 s

Habitat: Prairies, meadows, and open roadsides
Flower: Golden-yellow ray florets surrounding a dark brown–purple cone
Leaves: Hairy, lance-shaped, alternating along the stem
Stem: Covered in fine bristles, upright, branching near the top
Height: 1–3 feet
Bloom period: June–September

A flower of sunlight that never forgets the wind.

Field Story

The first Black-eyed Susan of the season opened at the edge of a restored prairie — one blossom rising beside a dozen buds still curled tight. The bright yellow rays, still partly furled, echoed the energy of a landscape waking into midsummer.

Black-eyed Susan bud opening
Black-eyed Susan bud opening
The emerging petals glow gold against the green backdrop. As the bud unfurls, the cone begins to darken — a transformation as brief as the prairie’s summer itself. • Size: 4804×3203

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 800 • Aperture f/5.0 • Shutter 1/200 s

Observations

  • Color: Bright yellow petals, dark brown to purplish-black center cone
  • Texture: Stems and leaves covered with short, stiff hairs
  • Bloom Duration: Long-lasting; individual flowers remain open for weeks
  • Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hoverflies
  • Seed Head: Retains shape into autumn, providing food for finches

Seed Head

Black-eyed Susan seed head
Black-eyed Susan seed head
After blooming, the ray petals fall away, leaving a seed-filled cone that darkens and hardens through late summer. Goldfinches and other seed-eaters visit long after the color has faded.

The last color of summer lingers in the seeds.

References

  • Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-central North America (2023 edition)
  • Personal field notes, Lakeville MN (2025)
  • Comparative observations with Rudbeckia hirta and R. fulgida
  • Observed pollinator visits: honeybees, bumblebees, and painted lady butterflies