Appearance
It is an upright annual growing 30–100 cm tall by 30–45 cm wide. It has alternate, mostly basal leaves 10–18 cm long, covered by coarse hair, with stout branching stems and daisy-like, composite flowers appearing in late summer and early autumn. In the species, the flowers are up to 10 cm in diameter, with yellow ray-florets circling conspicuous brown or black, dome-shaped disc-florets. However, extensive breeding has produced a range of sizes and colours, including oranges, reds and browns.
Naming
The genus name honors Olaus Rudbeck, who was a professor of botany at the University of Uppsala in Sweden and was one of Linnaeus's teachers. The specific epithet refers to the trichomes occurring on leaves and stems.Other common names for this plant include: brown-eyed Susan, brown Betty, gloriosa daisy, golden Jerusalem, Poorland daisy, yellow daisy, and yellow ox-eye daisy.
Uses
*The roots but not the seedheads of "Rudbeckia hirta" can be used much like the related "Echinacea purpurea" to boost immunity and fight colds, flu and infections.⤷ It is also an astringent when used in a warm infusion as a wash for sores and swellings.
⤷ The Ojibwa people used it as a poultice for snake bites...hieroglyph snipped... and to make an infusion for treating colds and worms in children.
⤷ The plant is also diuretic and was used by the Menominee and Potawatomi peoples....hieroglyph snipped......hieroglyph snipped...
⤷ Juice from the roots has been used as drops for earaches.
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