RUDBECKIA hirta.
Reading edition
Hairy Rudbeckia.
Class and Order.—Syngenesia Polygamia Frustranea.
Syn. Rudbeckia hirta. Pursh. Flo. N. A. page 574.
Root Fibrous—stem erect, branched, grooved. Radical leaves broad, lanceolate, cauline leaves sessile, unequal, margins undulate peduncles one flowered, terminal—calyx many segments, lanceolate, obtuse—corolla bright yellow—radiated florets, linear, lanceolate recurved, barren—florets of the disk fertile—whole plant hairy.
The genus Rudbeckia (called after Professor Rudbeck of Upsal who died in 1702) is a very ornamental one, its different species making a gay appearance in the Autumn. R. hirta is perhaps one of the most desirable, from its moderate size, seldom growing higher than two feet—it was introduced about the year 1714, it is a native of N. America, and is found on the mountains from Virginia to Florida—it likes a light rich soil, and is propagated by parting the roots, which should be done in the spring, as it flowers so late in Autumn as to prevent the removal in sufficient time for the plants to be well established before winter—it is rather tender, sometimes being destroyed by too much wet. The following are pleasing species:—
R. purpurea.
— fulgida.
— columnaris.
— speciosa.
— pinnata.
Pl. 37.
Plate 38. Scabiosa Caucasea. Drawn from Nature by M.R. Engraved by R. Havell Junr.