Black-eyed Susan

           Black-eyed Susan are flowering plants that grow over than three feet tall. They have green leaves that up to six inches long.

            Black-eyed Susans grow in open woods, garden, fields, and roadsides. They grow quickly in just about any kind of the soil.

            These plants are most easily recognized by their flowers. They have yellow flowers with a brownish-purple center. Flowers are two until three inches across and grow on a stalk up to eight inches long.

            Black-eyed Susans are biennial, which means they live for only two years. In the first year, the plants grows a rosette, which is a group of leaves growing from the center, low to the ground. In the second year, the plant grows flower stalks. At the end of the second year, the plant dies.

            Butterflies, bees, flies, and other insects visit the flowers for nectar. When they suck nectar, they naturally move pollen from one plant to the another plant. This allows the plant to grow fruits and seeds, which are lightweight and travel by wind. Black-eyed Susans bloom from June to October.

         Black-eyed Susans are a pioneer plant. It means that they are one of the first plant that grow in a new field. For instance, if a fire burns down part of a forest, this plant will be one of the first to emerge.