What Black-Eyed Susans have to do with dinosaurs

SUGAR CREEK, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – Native Americans once used a wildflower native to North America to cure a variety of medical issues, including colds, the flu, and even snake bites. But did you know that Black-Eyed Susans are also members of a flowering plant family that lived in the Americas during the time of the dinosaurs ?

Here’s a short history of Black-Eyed Susans–a flower that is native to American South and older than recorded history.

How old are Black-Eyed Susans?

We don’t know how long Black-Eyed Susans have been growing in North America. But we do know that shortly after Columbus “found” the New World, Black-Eyed Susans were taken to Europe where they became a fad with gardeners.

Linnaeus named the species in 1753, which is why “Black-Eyed Susans” are also known by their scientific name of Rudbeckia Hirta.

Linnaeus named the plant after his mentor, Olaf Rudbeck.

Black-Eyed Susans are members of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family, which is the largest of all flowering plant families on earth. There are more than 24000 species on the planet, and many of them have become important to humanity because of their abilities to work as medicines, dyes, and even food.

Hirta means rough and hairy, which is how the stems of the flowers feel when you touch them.

Sunflowers like Black-Eyed Susans are part of a family that is more than 50 million years old, evidenced by a fossilized flower found in Northwest Patagonia. Scientists have determined that the place where the fossils were found in South America once had a tropical climate.

DNA shows that th e sunflower family likely originated in South America .

Fossilized pollen grains from the Asteraceae family found in Antarctica shoved back mankind’s perception of how long the flowering family has been on Earth. The discovery meant that members of the Asteraceae family were growing during the Cretaceous period . That’s at least 20 million years older than what scientists previously thought, which puts the age of the Asteraceae family at around 80 million years old.

Those figures place t he species on earth with dinosaurs .

The Asteraceae family is also listed on planet earth’s tree of life .

Black-Eyed Susans in medicine

In the modern era, many Southerners admire the snappy little flower’s petals without ever understanding that Black-Eyed Susans are more than just a pretty face.

Black-Eyed Susans contain more than 250 compounds, some of which have antifungal properties.

Some scientists even argue that compounds found in Black-Eyed Susans are valuable in the fight against cancer. And as if that’s not enough, Black-Eyed Susan flowers, roots and leaves can be used to make a tea that is said to help treat colds, high blood pressure, ulcers, swelling.

Black-Eyed Susans were used by some Native American tribes to treat snakebites.

Natives in the Americas also used this plant to wash out their sores.

Black-Eyed Susans as ornamentals

Rabbits love freshly-planted Black-Eyed Susans, but once the plants are in place they can be both beautiful and an effective pollinator. Deer don’t care for the hairy foliage of the wildflower, which is very helpful to gardeners who live in the countryside.

Monarch butterflies love Black-Eyed Susans , whose colors can range from orange or brown to gold, yellow, red, or maroon.

And these easy-to-maintain flowers are perfect for planting in containers.

Black-Eyed Susans are in bloom from June until October, and once the flowers are being their showy selves you’ll see that they look very much like daisies. But beware, because these pretty little flowers have been known to trigger asthma (and perhaps even cause asthma) in humans. Some people are so allergic to Black-Eyed Susans that if they touch the plant, they will suffer with red and itchy skin, if not blistering and hives.

Random facts about Black-Eyed Susan

Cut Black-Eyed Susan flowers can last up to 10 days in a vase, making them a beautiful option for a bouquet. They can also be used in garden borders, in mass planting areas, and to help control soil erosion.

Black-Eyed Susans also serve as shelter for many types of birds in North America. The plant is drought-tolerant and has a long bloom period, making it well-equipped for the dry season. It’s a perennial and has been associated with good fortune, love, and protection.

Bees, birds, and butterflies love Black-Eyed Susans.

Black-Eyed Susans were once called by an overtly-racist name in some parts of the American South. But several Native American tribes used the plant as a symbol of justice, and the Caddo Parish Civil Rights Project will soon unveil a sunflower as their logo.

Black-Eyed Susans get their name because of the black center of the flower, which is frequently called a “black eye.” But further research is needed before Black-Eyed Susans can be mass-produced and used to make medicines.

These ancient flowers can grow in full sun or partial shade and are fairly easy to start by seed .

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