Rudbeckia laciniata - "Sochan" - "Cutleaf Coneflower"

Cartoonishly cute flowers and delicious edible greens. This plant is a perennial source of food and beauty. It has something edible to offer at all times of the year. In the spring it puts up asparagus-like shoots that can be snapped off and sauteed with butter or chopped and added to other dishes. The edible leaves are available year-round though the flavor changes in intensity.