from Wikimedia |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV6S-28QlMq0OfGp00GT7MQIAdcY2TUKpxy7V1LzzyRQmb6U1CK-oHEFDb_msZ1QpJHjG9aTFI4TpBnX0fjmKzuU0FSa1rXdnnOG2nZl6hwzFhpholBOg3QUjWlUAOXDrcqsDXp-KroE/s1600/Rudbeckia+flowers+-+4.jpg)
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After harvesting leaves |
Missouriplants has a good description with pictures from 2003. It raises a question of toxicity but other reputable sources such as the USDA list it as non-toxic.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPu-eOX5s5qOolQHuJbMd1kPDGNkT8VhtTl3VQqgGVfWK5RsMRLgV2shSrsLvobCPkE9s32M5jIF_s1lPK79VOZkGnh8lOse13mpH2V3RIPdHb39EiQjeGH7PkhLTkTRr6VgEwBi5yfA/s1600/Rudbeckia+laciniata-+Tall+coneflower+(crowfoot@)+-+3.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-IaBkV4EllEkB64fQcomye6h65vfkj7yRVHCqlGV8kO1eQroxJgDEKmy2mB_aoT3iUwlUMNy1prFECbfafmZVh9EXBr0rPpU-W9-_Hy2O7F2UMa3obuRvBm1mZ7dXUUmoSDzwA5dfMA/s1600/Rudbeckia+laciniata-+Tall+coneflower+(crowfoot@)+-+4.jpg)
Although some sources report using it in salads, it is usually used as a potherb. R. lanciniata can be cooked similar to spinach without the bitterness. Barb boiled it briefly, rinsed it off and cooked it like any other green in butter, olive oil or a touch of the kitchen essential, bacon grease. It has the distinction of being the only cooked leafy green that I have had a complete second helping of. Next time, maybe throw in some onion?
We aren't the only creatures enjoying this nutritious plant.** The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, predatory wasps, butterflies, skippers, moths, and various kinds of flies. It is a larval host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis) and the Wavy-Lined Emerald moth (Synchlora aerata) as well as other insects. The common gold finch eats its seeds.
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Silvery Checkerspot - Wikimedia |
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Wavy-lined emerald - Tom Murray |
Emerald moth caterpillar - Kevin Firth |
* Christine Chiu, Master Naturalist and Gardener, was "botanizing" with us Saturday, she immediately recognized this as a plant she had been reading about. She introduced us to the name sochan and sent this great link on growing it.
** illinoiswildflowers.info