Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida
L.
Other name: Rigid Goldenrod
Description: The Stiff Goldenrod is a native perennial recognized by its broad, flat-topped inflorescence. The plant is a member of the Compositae, or aster family. It reaches a height of over one meter.
Leaf: The alternate leaves are rigid and rough. The
upper leaves are oval and sessile. The lower leaves are only slightly toothed
or entire on a short stalk. The long-stalked, basal leaves are toothed and
larger than the upper leaves.
Flower: The goldenrod flowers are like miniature
asters and are all yellow. They are arranged in an inflorescence which is about
15 cm across and flat across the top. This species has larger flower heads than
most of our goldenrods.
Blooming months: Late August – early October
Stem: The rigid, reddish, rough stem is branched at
the top.
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Discussion:
As goldenrod is mostly pollinated by insects, it does not deserve the
blame for hay fever discomfort. The blame lies instead with ragweed which
blooms at the same time as goldenrod. Stiff Goldenrod usually invades a prairie
that has been overgrazed. Native Americans used this particular goldenrod
species to treat bee stings. Other species were used for a variety of medicinal
uses and as a tea. Thomas Edison invented a way to extract rubber from
goldenrods, but the method proved to be too expensive.
Distribution:
This species grows in prairies and dry woods. The range of the Stiff
Goldenrod is from
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers
Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Plants
of
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