medicinal herbs
Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Black Eyed Susan

Latin name: Rudbeckia hirta

Family: Compositae

Medicinal use of Black Eyed Susan:

An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of colds, dropsy and worms in children. A warm infusion of the root has been used as a wash on sores and snake bites. The ooze from the roots has been used as drops to treat earaches.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Disturbed soils in Texas.

Other uses of Black Eyed Susan:

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ.

Cultivation of Black Eyed Susan:

Disturbed soils in Texas.

Known hazards of Rudbeckia hirta:

This plant is reputed to be poisonous to cattle, sheep and pigs.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.