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Black-eyed Susan with maroon ligules

jekeesl (south-central Arkansas)

7 years ago

I found these plants along south Arkansas country roads yesterday. They were locally numerous, and spread over 4 miles. They clearly keyed to Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan). Flowers on these plants had (1) all yellow ligules, or (2) yellow ligules with maroon bases. Some plants had both types of flowers on the same plant. This appears to be a hybrid, but I don't see much information online. And that farmland location isn't someplace where a hybrid would be expected to escape and thrive. I'm wondering if this is some type of naturally occurring hybrid.

Do you have any experience with plants like these? Is there scientific nomenclature that works to distinguish them from the normal R. hirta plants?

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Comments (2)

carol23_gw
7 years ago
The coloration is highly variable. I've seen flowers similar to those.
This is basically an annual here and the seeding around produces lots of
variety. I was given seed from a neighbor's plant which produced the pale yellow flower.
jekeesl (south-central Arkansas) thanked carol23_gw
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
7 years ago
Yes highly variable indeed.
I save seed from really interesting ones but they have a mind of their own.
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