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

Rudbeckia ampla is a striking, eye-catching, plant growing to seven feet tall, often in extensive patches in moist meadows and along streams.  Its flower is large and showy, having an 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 ampla is one of several Sunflower species sometimes commonly 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.)  "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). This web site follows the nomenclature of William Weber who accepts the Rudbeckia ampla name. "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 all the disk flowers open except for a few closed at the very top of the cone.

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