Rudbeckia fulgida Aiton

Eastern Coneflower; Brilliant Coneflower

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Eastern Coneflower is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Eastern Coneflower occurs in prairies, in cedar glades, in rocky woodlands, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with short stolons forming rosettes. Stems are green in color, branched above the middle, and pubescent with spreading to upward pointed hairs. Basal and lower cauline leaves are petiolate. Mid- and upper cauline leaves are alternate and +/- sessile but not auriculate. Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic or ovate in outline, entire or serrate, and glabrous to pubescent. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. Each head has 8-14 yellow or orange ray flowers and 50-500 purple-brown disc flowers and paleae with distinct cilia. The lower portions of the ray flowers often are a deep orange color. The fruit is an achene. Eastern Coneflower is frequently sold by nurseries and numerous cultivars are available. It prefers a sunny site with moist but well-draining soil. Remove old flower heads to encourage continued flowering. Plants can be propagated by seed or by separating basal offshoots.—A. Diamond

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Native G5T4? (Global Rank)

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