About Rudbeckia texana (Perdue) P.B.Cox & Urbatsch
Rudbeckia texana (Perdue) P.B.Cox & Urbatsch is a robust perennial plant that grows up to 150 cm (59 in) tall and 30 cm (12 in) wide. It produces alternate leaves that are mostly basal, ranging 9–20 cm in length. These leaves have a leathery texture and an elliptic shape. Flowering stems emerge in spring, with each stem ending in 1 to 4 composite flower heads. The flower heads are roughly conical, measuring around 2.0–4.5 cm tall and 1–1.5 cm wide. Yellow ray florets encircle a prominent dark brown, dome-shaped central cone made up of many small disc florets.
This species occurs in western Louisiana and eastern Texas, where it grows primarily in remnant wet prairies, and along railroads and highways. Like other species in the genus Rudbeckia, R. texana is likely an important pollen source for native bees, particularly Adrena rudbeckiae. It blooms from May to November.
