Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is, perhaps, our best-known prairie flower. Native to North America, its bright yellow flowers bloom early in the summer and can continue throughout the season.
A related species of Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia fulgida, is also native to our area (and much of the eastern US). It became a popular garden flower through an interesting path. Rather than being directly adopted from the wild, the most popular horticultural variety "Goldsturm" crossed the Atlantic twice. A German horticulturalist found an attractive variant in a Czech garden and developed it for commercial purposes in Germany. From Europe, it returned to US gardens.
I'm not absolutely sure which Black-eyed Susan is in the photo.
Great picture.
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