Canada goldenrod
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Solidago altissimaOther 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