Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)
I've always thought that the black-eyed Susan is a beautiful flower with a disturbing common name. It's native to eastern and central North America but it is now found in all ten provinces and all 48 contiguous US states. This species of Rudbeckia is also grown as a garden ornamental in other parts of the world and has been reported as 'naturalized' in parts of Europe and China.
Today I went down to Science World in Vancouver and ran into this impressive mass planting. Anyone who has ever grown Rudbeckia knows that bees love this flower and sure enough, it was just buzzing with activity.
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Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Part 2. Had Allegheny Power gotten its way 40 years ago, the land included as part of this idyllic refuge would today be the muddy bottom of a lake formed by damming the Blackwater River. The power company proposed turning the largest and most botanically-diverse high-elevation wetlands complex east of the Rocky Mountains into a “recreation destination” (e.g., overpriced tourist trap similar to nearby Deep Creek, Maryland) so it could execute a sketchy pump and release hydroelectric scheme. Thankfully, the US Army Corps of Engineers refused to issue a permit, and the nation has been since been rewarded with its 500th national wildlife refuge.
From top: the open grasslands of the refuge, which are actively managed similar to prairies in the Midwest to increase wildlife diversity, black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), one of the primary benefactors of the open grasslands; flat-topped white aster (Doellingeria umbellata), also known as parasol white-top, a tall, grand late summer aster of the Appalachia’s higher elevations; a thistle seed pod, which draws hordes of goldfinches; field milkwort (Polygala sanguinea), also known as purple milkwort, a field-loving beauty that deserves more attention from native wildflower gardeners; the spindly seed pods of virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana), another harbinger of autumn’s impending approach; and a tranquil stretch of the Blackwater River, just before it exits the valley in a violent spasm and descends in pure chaos through the boulder-strewn Blackwater Canyon.
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The wind pushes a petal of a Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) onto a female Drury's long-horned bee (Melissodes druriellus)
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TARA HC TARA HC TARA HC!!!!
She is actually a really smart little guy, not in the "she studies a lot and gets good grades" type of way but in the "she gets really curious about stuff and meaning of words and she turns into Wikipedia when you ask her about it" type of way.
Sam: Look at this tiny sunflower
Tara: oh actually, that's a Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called black-eyed Susan, is a North American flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, but it's commonly mistaken for a sunflower for its colours even if the size is different. However, extensive breeding has produced a range of sizes and colours, including oranges, reds and-
Sam: woah...
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Red dead gang + flowers
Arthur Morgan - Dudleya cymosa; Canyon liveforever, native to California cliff faces and craggy areas, thrives in the sun and blooms vibrant red and orange cymes. Pointed rosettes of succulent leaves form the base which sends out a delicate bloom in early summer. This flower is also the one found in the terrarium jar on Arthur's bedside table.
Tilly Jackson - Helianthus annuus; Common sunflower, a showy plant native to grasslands in the US, its undomesticated form is a branching annual plant with many flower heads. Its domesticated form is an important food crop grown both for its seeds and seed oil. It's common in sunny gardens, where its unmistakable bright blooms attract pollinators. Commonly symbolizes longevity and adoration.
Sean Maguire - Tripolium pannonicum; Sea aster, native to Ireland, a very hardy plant that requires very little to thrive. Showy purple blooms usually a bit ruffled, but all the brighter in their seaside environments.
Charles Smith - Quercus alba; White oak, a staple crop for thousands of years, white oaks of the Quercus genus are amongst the most important habitat species for wildlife in North America. These trees provide food, shelter, fuel, and fertilizer for countless native flora and fauna, and oaks are among the few trees that thrive in both open fields and sheltered forests. Their diminuitive flowers (catkins) are wind pollinated and mature into thousands of acorns per tree every 2-10 years. Traditionally associated with bounty, wisdom, and protection. (Not a flower in the traditional sense, but catkins do count and white oak really REALLY suited Charles so I'm putting this in)
Dutch Van Der Linde - Pueraria montana; Kudzu vine, a hardy, subtropical plant introduced to the US with bright sweet pea flower spikes in spring. Rapidly spreads to completely cover native flora, shading out and crushing plants and depleting habitat for mutualistic wildlife. This vine is a noxious invasive in the southern US.
Hosea Matthews - Triticum aestivum; Wheat, grown as a staple crop around the world, wheat has many uses and is considered the backbone of western cuisine. Often grown in wide monocrop fields, mature wheat's golden color makes for a striking image. Commonly symbolizes bounty and resurrection. (Yes, grass (Poaceae) is a flowering plant family!)
Mary-Beth Gaskill - Viola riviniana; Common dog violet, native to europe, its nodding purple blooms can be found along roads and creeks in lightly shaded areas. Flowers in this genus traditionally symbolize modesty and humility.
Abigail Roberts/Marston - Rudbeckia hirta; Black-eyed Susan, a popular midwest native wildflower common in gardens for its sunny florets and contrasting center. Its association with gardening is a long established one, and traditionally symbolizes encouragement, adaptability, and determination.
Molly O'Shea - Passiflora alata; Winged-stem passionflower, a species native to the south American tropics and known for its visually distinctive red petals and exotic striped filaments. A delicate looking nodding flower with an edible fruit, commonly cultivated for its medicinal benefits and its beauty.
This post got very long! I will make a part two to save you the effort of scrolling <3
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