Solidago altissima L.

Tall Goldenrod; Common Goldenrod

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Common Goldenrod is a native perennial wildflower in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is the most common Goldenrod in the state, particularly in disturbed habitats such as old fields. It can be found in every Alabama County. Common Goldenrod grows from three to eight feet in height. The stems are hairy throughout with short hairs. The stems are often leafy to near the base, and most of the leaves are similar in size. The leaves are alternate and toothed. They are hairy on the entire lower surface. Leaves have three main veins from near the base. The flower heads are produced in pyramidal terminal panicles. Common Goldenrod is colonial from short rhizomes, and produces no basal rosette of leaves. It flowers from August until frost. Plants may be diploid, tetraploid, or hexaploid, and can vary in pubescence, leaf size, and shape of the inflorescence. The stems of Common Goldenrod often have galls produced by the Goldenrod Stem Gall Fly (Eurosta solidaginis). The fly larvae are themselves parasitized by the larvae of a small wasp (Eurytoma gigantean). Common Goldenrod is a tough but weedy plant. In Europe, it is a popular garden plant with many varieties available. Common Goldenrod is the state wildflower of South Carolina. Despite what many people believe, Goldenrod is not the cause of hay fever. It is an insect pollinated plant with pollen that is heavy and sticky. Hay fever is cause by small wind dispersed pollen from non-showy plants such as ragweed (Ambrosia) which often grow in the same areas as Goldenrod. --A. Diamond

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Native

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