Rudbeckia are medicinal plants in the Asteraceae family and Heliantheae tribe. The Rudbeckia genus comprises 15 known species that have been gracing European gardens for some time. They are also named after the Rudbecks botanists, father and son, who preceded Carl Linnaeus at Upsala University in Sweden. They are used for their dyeing properties: the petals give an orange color, and the whole plant a yellow-green color. The various Rudbeckia species were commonly used by the Plains Indians. Rudbeckia hirta and Rudbeckia serotina were used to stimulate the renal system. Rudbeckia laciniata was used for its tonic and diuretic virtues.