I’ve used various plant apps to try and identify this plant, but they id it as either brown-eyed susan, a variety of coneflower, or a really invasive weed. I have a lot of it so I either have to get busy and dig it out, or sit back and enjoy.
I do have black-eyed susans, and coneflowers but not with this leaf.
(poor soil, partial shade, grows in clumps, approx. 6″ tall at present, stalk is also green)
I agree, it’s difficult to identify this plant. I asked other Toronto Master Gardeners for their opinions – several agreed with you that it’s most likely brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) which self-seeds and pops up in unexpected places. It’s easy to control, though – just pull out the plant in spots you don’t want it to grow. There were a few other opinions – Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ , Rudbeckia subtomentosa (Sweet Coneflower) or goldenrod, which has leaves with prominent veins that can be lobed (although I’ve not seen trilled leaves on goldenrod plants). For my money, it’s a Rudbeckia.
Here’s a link to helpful websites, with good photos of leaves:
- Missouri Plants Rudbeckia triloba
- University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba. One of the photos shows a leaf nearly identical to that in your photo.
- Minnesota Wildflowers. Rudbeckia subtomentosa (Sweet Coneflower)
- Missouri Botanical Garden. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’
For future plant mysteries, see Montana State University’s Plant Identification basics.
So I’d recommend sitting back and enjoying your garden for now. It will be interesting to confirm our identification when the plant actually blooms. We’d love to hear back from you when it does!
May 31 2021