which variety were they?

Well, the leaves match R. fulgida, but at that height, I would have expected more basal growth showing. In growth habit, it should look more like a young Shasta Daisy, and less like a young sunflower.

I don't remember the variety but they were supposed to be annuals about a foot high, I think. They were definitely not Fulgida as I already have those and know what they look like.

looks like sunflowers

Actually, Ladybug, now you mention it they do look rather like sunflowers except that I would have noticed the difference in seed size when I first planted them. There were definitely no large seeds so I'm at a complete loss. I shall have to wait until the burgeoning flower buds in the centre finally appear - if they do.

The only "annual" forms of Rudbeckia commonly on the market are forms of R. hirta, which have far different leaves than this one. These do look a lot like Sunflowers, and the seeds for the ornamental Sunflowers are much smaller than those you see at the corner store, though still usually larger than Rudbeckia seeds.

The more I study these plants the more I think they are sunflowers but in a small packet of Rudbeckia seeds how could I not have noticed the difference in seed size? Only 3 or 4 germinated though and they are all tall and sunflowerish. It will be a while before the flowers open as the bud in the centre of each rosette is tiny.

I have been dancing around the question, but is it possible that you are confused about what you actually planted? Or, were these commercially packaged seeds, or some collected and labelled by a friend? I only ask because this has happened to me, too.

I'm pretty sure they were commercially packaged though since I sowed several different seeds I'm not 100%. I've never had seeds from a friend, I used to get only cuttings or whole plants.

Dancing around the question? Is that you saying I could be a bit doolally in my old age? :) I could be more than a bit but I don't think I am - yet!

I've just had a thought: do you know the term doolally in the US? It means bonkers, senile or any other word of that ilk.

I've heard it once before, in my 50 odd years--or, as my sister says, very odd! :)