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Goldenrod

Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

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How common: Very common

Goldenrod is a medium to tall perennial with bright yellow flower clusters that light up late summer. It is the native goldenrod of Europe and is often seen along paths, on rocks, meadow edges and sunny forest clearings.

Did you know?

  • Its scientific name Solidago comes from Latin for “to make whole,” reflecting its long history as a noted herb.
  • The flowers can be used to make a bright yellow dye.

About the species

Identification

Upright plant 25–100 cm tall, usually a single, sturdy, almost hairless stem that may be reddish at the base. Lower leaves are oval with toothed edges and have short stalks; upper leaves are narrower, shorter and sit against the stem. The top carries a short, upright cluster of many small, daisy-like yellow flowers about 1–1.5 cm across. Later it makes small seeds with a soft tuft that blows in the wind. Compared to the tall North American goldenrods, its flower clusters are shorter and more upright, with fewer but larger flowers. Flowers in Finland from July to September.

Plant group

Herbaceous plants

Habitat

heath forest

Flowering

Jul–Sep

About the habitat

Likes sunny, open places such as rocky outcrops, dry to fresh meadows, roadsides, clearings and light woods; it can also grow on rich fens. Common throughout the country.

Sources

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solidago virgaurea kz12.jpg

Text: Pinkka: Yläkoulun Pinkka - Kuiva kangasmetsä, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39727

Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Metsät: kuivahkot kankaat, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39727

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kultapiisku

See also