Japanese name: アラゲハンゴンソウ（粗毛反魂草） Scientific name:Rudbeckia hirta
[Overview]
A perennial 40–70 cm tall.
The whole plant is covered with coarse bristles.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves.
The basal leaves are oblanceolate, 10–18 cm long, with long petioles.
The stem leaves are simple and alternate, lanceolate, with slight teeth or serrations on the margin.
Flower heads 5–7 cm across are borne facing upward at the stem tips.
There are 14 ray flowers, yellow or brown at the base.
The tubular flowers are blackish brown to dark purple.
The receptacle is conical.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile soil.
If the conditions suit it, it grows well even when left alone.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
For potted plants, apply slow-release fertilizer from spring to autumn; for plants in the ground, no fertilizing is particularly needed if base fertilizer is applied.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
