Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Tuesday - December 02, 2014

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: Are Brown-eyed susans and Black-eyed susans the same species?
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

Are Brown eyed Susans the same as the Black-eyed Susan? I've read that they are both common names for the same plant, but the flower looks slightly different in different regions. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan) is often called Brown-eyed susan. Two common names for the same species. And they do indeed look different in different locations. See some examples of flower color and shape below.

From the Image Gallery

Black-eyed susan
Rudbeckia hirta