Green-Headed Coneflower

Scientific name

Rudbeckia laciniata

Description

Green-Headed Coneflower is a perennial wildflower that grows from 1-2.5 m in height. The stem is light green, smooth, cylindrical, and branches occasionally. The leaves alternate along the stem and can grow up to 30 cm long and 30 cm wide. The leaf stems are narrow, which gives the leaves a tendency to droop. The lower to middle leaves have 3-7 large lobes and smooth to highly toothed edges. The leaves tend to change in shape depending on how large they grow; but are usually elliptic to ovate in shape. The uppermost leaves on the flowering stalks are much smaller in size and lanceolate to ovate in shape without lobes. The upper leaf surface is dark green and hairless while the lower leaf surface is pale-medium green and sparingly hairy. The stems terminate with clusters of yellow flowers that each have their own stalk up to 5 cm in length. The flowers are 5-8 cm across and have a round center with 6 to 12 yellow petals. The central cone is light green while immature, but it later changes to a yellow colour, resembling a pincushion because of its tubular disk florets that all come out of the cone. Each disk floret is replaced by a 3-4.5 mm, hard, oblong shaped seed pod that has a crown of tiny blunt teeth at its apex. Green-Headed Coneflower prefers moist soils and partial sun. It can be found growing naturally in wet open forests, moist meadows, forest edges, moist thickets, river banks, lake shorelines, and pastures. This wildflower is tolerant of slow-draining, clay-heavy soils. The root system is fibrous and forms clusters that spread through underground rhizomes, which makes this plant great for erosion control, as it will spread and stabilize the soil. Many pollinators are attracted to the Green-Headed Coneflower including bees, wasps, butterflies, skippers, moths, and various kinds of flies. Several insects and animals use the plant for food, including Golden Glow Aphids, Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies, Tortricid Moths, Wavy-Lined Emerald Moth, and Common Pug Moth. Additionally, some bird species like Common Goldfinches feed on the seeds of Green-Headed Coneflower.

Planting conditions

Green-headed Coneflower prefers to grow in moist, fertile soil in partial sun. It can be found in moist, wooded areas, along riverbanks and in marshy fields and pastures.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Moist
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Humus
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 2.5m