Black-Eyed Susies

One of the many favorite flowers from my childhood is the black-eyed Susie. I remember them growing wild beside roads and in pastures. I thought they were eye-catching beauties.  I would have loved to pick a handful and arrange them in a vase, but Mother would usually convince me to leave them growing where they were.

The plants are native to Eastern and Central North America, but they were taken to other parts. Today they are all across Canada and in 48 of the United States, as well as other countries. They were designated the state flower of Maryland in 1918. Black-eyed Susies are related to sunflowers. Other common names for it include: brown-eyed Susan, brown Betty, golden Jerusalem, gloriosa daisy, poorland daisy, yellow daisy, and yellow ox-eyed daisy.

Folk remedies, especially in Appalachian and Native American cultures, used it for ailments like colds, flu, infection, swelling and in a poultice for snake bites. The roots can be used similarly to those of echinacea, a plant that resembles this one, except the flowers are purple. Tradition says the black-eyed Susie symbolizes justice.

Today, they have become popular in yards and flower gardens, and seeds can be purchased. Butterflies are attracted to the flower, so they're also used in butterfly gardens. But I still like to see them growing in the wild, although they're getting harder and harder to find there.

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