Green-Headed Coneflower

Aug 2

Written By Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association

Rudbeckia laciniata Cut-leaf Coneflower, Sochon

Differing from most other members of the Rudbeckia group (commonly known as Black-Eyed Susans) by bearing flowers with green center cones (the eyes), not chocolatey brown/black cones characteristic of the other members.

Cut-leaf coneflower refers to its leaves, which look as if they were cut into strips, and that is the botanical meaning behind the word used for its species name, lacinata. Commonly encountered along stream banks and floodplains in our area, it is still quite drought tolerant, grows 5-8’ tall and is known for spreading enthusiastically and becoming a Large Patch. Flowers are widely used by many pollinators and some predators, too! (last pic = with crab spider poised and waiting).

Recently one of our garden volunteers shared an article with me that highlighted this plants’ importance to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a recent agreement between the Cherokees and the U.S. Park Service, which allows the tribe to collect the spring leaves of this plant for food and medicinal use from populations growing within the park. This band of Cherokees call this plant Sochon. For a short and interesting read on this, check out this link:

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2024/07/collecting-sochan-great-smoky-mountains-national-park