Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

The Orange Coneflower prefer most soil that isn't soggy, and does best with full sun (which needs to be 6+ hours in the sun) and hot/humid environments. 

Growth Habit/Description:

"Black-eyed Susan is an erect herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and native to the eastern United States.  It spreads about one foot and clumps with its roots under the soil. It's also known to be a self seeder.

Bloom Season:

It first matures during the summer and its flowers bloom during the early fall. These flowers can get up to 3-2 feet tall once it matures. They also produce nectar which are beneficial to the local fauna in its environment.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes.  The flowers are a major source of food for the songbirds in the colder months. 

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes.  The Orange Coneflower for the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis) and the Wavy-Lined Emerald Moth (Synchlora aerata).

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes.   It provides nectars to pollinators, and songbirds use the flower during the fall to eat the seeds.

Origin of Name: Its Latin name means glistening while its regular names comes from its cone like shape and vibrant orange color.  

Related Plant Species: The Orange Coneflower is smaller, more compact, and only has one flower per stem unlike its relative Rudbeckia triloba (Brown-eyed Susan).  Rudbeckia hirta is more hairy, biennial, and prefers drier conditions, and Rudbeckia submentosa is a long lived tall prairies species with anise-scented flowers.

Use For Food/Medicine:

Most of the coneflower, including the Orange Coneflower, species has medicinal uses mostly dealing with the flu, inflammation, and other mild illnesses.

Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277462&isprofile=0&gen=Rudbeckia

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=rufu2#:~:text=Duration:%20Perennial,:%20Open%20woods;%20meadows;%20pastures

North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rudbeckia-fulgida/

Entry created by Jayden Strong, September 2025.