Canada goldenrod

Family

Asteraceae

Scientific Name

Solidago altissima

Other Common Names:

solidago altissima var. altissima

solidago altissima var. pluricephala

solidago altissima var. procera

solidago canadensis var. scabra

solidago hirsutissima

solidago lunellii

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Solidago lunelii

Solidago hirsutissima

Solidago canadensis var. scabra

Habit

Erect perennial weed that is often 1 to 2 m tall. Sparsely branched on the upper half of the plant only.

Leaves

Elliptic to lanceolate in shape and 6 to 15 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide. Older leaves have petioles and younger leaves can be sessile. Older leaves will also senesce and eventually fall off. Leaves are pubescent on both surfaces.

Identifying Characteristics

This weed grows from underground rhizomes and slowly spreads. Stems are very pubescent and the leaves are pubescent as well. The inflorescence is only at the terminal and is almost panicle like.

Flower Seed Head

Panicle like, clusters of 10 to 20 flowers that are yellow. Each individual flower is 2 to 3 mm across.

Seed Fruit

The fruit is an achene that is 1 to 1.5 mm long and has a papus on one end. The papus looks like fibers protruding from the end of the achene.

Where Found

Fallow fields, pastures, meadows, and roadsides.

Growth Habit

upright and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

yellow

Flower Symmetry

radial symmetery

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

lance

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

serrated

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

Varies:

none,

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies:

fibrous,

taproot

Life Cycle

perennial

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb