Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Synchlora aerata, Papaipema unimoda, Chlosyne nycteis, Lithophane unimoda, Ostrinia nubilalis, Papaipema cataphracta, Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria, Papaipema nebris, Eupithecia miserulata
S13+S15 9 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena rudbeckiae, Pseudopanurgus rudbeckiae, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Melissodes agilis, Melissodes druriellus, Colletes compactus
S17 Asteraceae pollen specialists listing Rudbeckia as host; filtered to species with NE/Mid-Atlantic ranges

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5) and secure in Ontario (S5). Ranked SNA in Quebec, indicating it is considered non-native or not applicable for conservation ranking in the province. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Widely naturalized across eastern North America and routinely available commercially.
S22 G5, S5 ON, SNA QC; S26 not SARA listed; S11 Commercial Availability=Routinely Available
Rarity Ranks: QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A classic pioneer of open, disturbed ground — prairies, meadows, pastures, savannas, woodland edges, and roadsides. Thrives in dry to mesic soils on a wide range of substrates. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it colonizes sunny clearings and field margins, often appearing abundantly in the first years after disturbance before yielding to longer-lived perennials. Listed as Sparse on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River in 1978 and Common on the Ontario side in 2005, suggesting a pattern of naturalization from historically native Ontario populations.
S4 habitat=Prairie, Meadows, Savannas, Woodlands' edge; S7 fields, roadsides, clearings, savanna; S63 Sparse in Ottawa-Hull 1978; S62 Common in Ottawa 2005

Roles: Erosion Control, Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Erosion Control: S61 keyword match: erosion (supporting signal only)] | Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = Medium (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: A classic pioneer species in new native plantings that establishes quickly and provides early-season color and pollinator resources while longer-lived perennials fill in. Self-seeds prolifically, appearing for years even as it yields dominance. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, making it a reliable anchor for low-maintenance guild designs. Best used as a nurse plant or early-successional filler rather than a permanent structural element.
S46 pioneer species, prolific self-seeder; S4 drought tolerant, deer resistant; S29 deer resistant

Category: Anthelmintic, Dermatological Aid, Ear Medicine, Gynecological Aid, Kidney Aid, Snake Bite Remedy, Cold Remedy, Eye Medicine, Analgesic, Febrifuge, Heart Medicine, Pediatric Aid
S28 Moerman categories from Cherokee, Iroquois, Potawatomi, Shuswap, Seminole uses
Notes: Extensive Indigenous medicinal use documented across multiple First Nations. Cherokee used root infusions to treat worms, sores, snakebites, earaches, and gynecological complaints. Iroquois administered root infusions to children with worms and prepared decoctions for heart ailments. Potawatomi used root infusions for colds. Shuswap applied the plant for sore eyes. Seminole used cold infusions of the cone flowers for headaches and fevers. Health Canada lists it as a homeopathic substance (whole flower preparation).
S28 Cherokee, Iroquois, Potawatomi, Shuswap, Seminole uses; S36 Health Canada homeopathic listing

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented edible uses. PFAF assigns an edibility rating of 0/5 and lists no edible parts. USDA rates human palatability as None. The plant is reputed to be poisonous to livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs), further discouraging any food use.
S29 Edibility=0, 'None known'; S11 Palatable Human=No; S29 poisonous to livestock