Montane, subalpine. Streamsides. Summer, fall.
Roaring Fork Road, August 7, 2004.

Rudbeckia laciniata is a striking, eye-catching, plant growing to seven feet tall, often in extensive patches in moist meadows and along streams.  Its flowers are large and showy, having upward swelling disk and widely spaced, drooping ray flowers.  Leaves are large, commonly 4-7 inches, and each plant has leaves of several shapes, ranging from entire to seven deep divisions.

Rudbeckia laciniata is one of several Sunflower species sometimes called "Black Eyed Susan" or "Coneflower".

This genus and species were named Rudbeckia laciniata by Linnaeus in 1753. The genus name, "Rudbeckia", is for the father and son Professors, Rudbeck, who were predecessors of Linnaeus.  (More biographical information about the Rudbecks.) 

"Laciniata" is Latin for "torn or rent", perhaps referring to the deeply cut leaves.

In 1901 Aven Nelson renamed this species Rudbeckia ampla, and in 1955 the species was renamed Rudbeckia laciniata variety ampla by Cronquist (of Intermountain Flora).

"Ampla", Latin for "spacious", refers to the large flower.

Montane, subalpine. Streamsides. Summer, fall.
Roaring Fork Road, August 7, 2004.

The central disk flowers are unopened, green, and packed tightly in the youngest buds at left and you can also see some disk flowers fully opened (yellow with brown pollen tips) emerging from the bottom of the cone at the base of the long ray flowers.  At the two o'clock position from the center of the photograph, you can see one flower with all of its disk flowers fully opened.  See below for another flower with almost all of its disk flowers open.

Montane, subalpine. Streamsides. Summer, fall.
Little Taylor Creek Trail, July 28, 2005.

Montane, subalpine. Streamsides. Summer, fall.
Spruce Creek Trail, October 3, 2010.

Flowers and leaves have fallen and all that remains is the brown seed head and tall stem.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Rudbeckia laciniata

Range map for Rudbeckia laciniata variety ampla