Rudbeckia
occidentalis
Black Coneflower
This unusual black-eyed Susan is the black eye without the
Susan! It has no petals, only green sepals (the part that encloses the bud), which surround a long black
cone. When the cone first forms, it has a gold ring of pollen around it that stands out like a
Saturn ring (not visible in this pic). Considering that the actual flower parts (the cone) are
black, this makes a neat Pluto plant, and it's then especially fitting that the golden
petals are absent (absence being a Pluto quality). Its flower essence is used for reaching the hidden
depths of the soul and helps with contacting one's shadow side. The
flowers have strong stalks and are good cut or dried (great altar decorations). Keep them picked
to get more flowers. The foliage is nice grey-green and goes well
with other greyish/silver plants like wormwood, poppy,
lavender, and California poppy. This is a good plant for cottage
gardens and as a background for other black flowers. This
magick herb flowers
July-October and grows up to 39 in/1 m, although there are reports of
it getting 5 ft/1.5m. It is a fast-growing plant and can bloom in 12
weeks. Bees, butterflies, and goldfinches love it. This native
of western North America is also known as western coneflower, black cap coneflower,
and black beauty coneflower. Top
How to grow Black Coneflower:
Sow from late winter to mid summer, barely covering to germinate in 2
weeks or less at room temperature. Or sow on Winter Solstice (see special
directions on the Solstice Sowing
page). Transplant to full sun/partial shade
and ordinary soil that is not too dry. Keep flowers picked to produce
more blooms, and cut back old stems when new shoots start to show in
the fall. This plant self-seeds when happy and spreads by roots as
well--it can be invasive. It is a perennial in zones 3-9 (down to
-40F/-40C). General growing info. Top
Rudbeckia occidentalis
Black Coneflower
40
seeds $3.25
Uses in
Witchcraft & Magic:
Contacting the Shadow Side
Pluto
Herb
© 2004, 2013 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission