Hi, Dr. Hill,
This yellow flower with protruding, deep-brown center was part of a large patch growing in a ditch along a 2-lane highway in the Piedmont countryside on Oct. 15. The flower is no more than 3.5 – 4 cm across and the leaves are mostly oval, some narrowed at the tip, others rounded. The leaves at the base of the plant have longish stems, but those near the middle and top have almost no stems. All leaves have short hairs on the surface. I’m also including photos of the back of the flower and its stem and leaves.
Thank you very much!
Hi Diane,
this looks like Rudbeckia fulgida, one of our Black-eyed Susan species. It is widespread in the Piedmont areas. It can be quite variable in form.
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS