Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
Canada goldenrod
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Solidago altissima
Height
To 6 feet
Riparian
No
Tall, leafy, with tiny yellow flower heads in arching pyramidal clusters; produces showy displays, usually late in the summer.
Stems closely hairy toward the summit; leaves mostly toothed; leaves very numerous and rather uniform, only gradually reduced upward. Flowers mostly one sided on the branched flower heads. Rays fewer than the disc flowers.
Habitat
Moist or dry, open or lightly wooded areas, disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Small flowers to 1/8 inch with yellow bracts on arching stems in large (10 inch), loose, terminal pyramidal clusters; flowers mostly along one side of stems.
Flower color
Bright yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow, both ends taper to a point, stalkless, three prominent veins, to 5 inches long. Leaves are smooth or slightly hairy on the veins beneath. Stems are leafy with fine hairs mostly at the top but otherwise smooth. Leaves often wither by flowering.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Bristly.
Fruit type
Achene