Rudbeckia fulgida


Rudbeckia fulgida, the orange coneflower or perennial coneflower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to eastern North America.

Description

It is an herbaceous perennial growing up to tall, with bright yellow daisy-like composite flower heads.

Growth and reproduction

Rudbeckia fulgida spreads by both stoloniferous stems and seed. The seeds are produced in fruits called cypselae, which are long and have short coroniform pappi long.
The ripe seed is a favorite food of finches in winter.

Ecology

Habitat

R. fulgida may be found in a variety of habitats such as bogs, woodlands, bottomlands, and calcareous slopes.

Phenology

This species has been observed to flower from January through September.

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet fulgida means "shining" or "glistening".
The plant is a source of fulgidic acid named after it.

Cultivation

There are seven varieties;Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii Perdue - Deam's coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida Aiton - orange coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. palustris Perdue - orange coneflower, prairie coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. spathulata Perdue - orange coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. speciosa Perdue - orange coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii Cronquist - Sullivant's coneflowerRudbeckia fulgida var. umbrosa Cronquist - orange coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii and R. fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Vernalization is beneficial to flower initiation. Recommendations are listed below:
  • 'Goldsturm' - 10–12 weeks at
  • 'Little Goldstar' - 10 weeks below
  • 'Pot of Gold' - 10 weeks at