Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
S. concinna, S. glaucophylla , S. hapemaniana , S. marshallii, S. tolmieana
Other common names
prairie goldenrod
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
9 to 30 inches
Riparian
Yes
A low-growing goldenrod that usually forms loose colonies. It has reddish stems occurring singly or in clusters. It has yellow flowers and is the earliest of the goldenrods to bloom.
Rhizomatous perennial. One-sided spike-like stems of yellow flowers. Ray flowers fewer than the disc flowers. Leaves not leathery. Leaves narrow, reduced up the stem.
Habitat
Upper elevations, open pine forests, grasslands, dry or moist soils, sandy or gravelly soils, along streams and in disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
4600
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Small (1/4 inch long, 1/8 inch wide), yellow flowers are arranged along the upper side of branches, usually forming plume-shaped, nodding elongated clusters.
Flower color
Bright yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Margins of leaves curve upward. Basal leaves to 7 inches long, 3/4 inch wide; shorter, narrower leaves up stem with small clusters of tiny leaves at leaf axils. Leaves are stalkless.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Obconic (cone-shaped), <1/16 inch long, hairy to glabrous.
Fruit type
Achene