Solidago lepida

Solidago lepida seed. Photo by Lisa Hintz

• Scientific Name: Solidago lepida
• Family: Asteraceae
• Common Name: West Canadian goldenrod
• Synonyms/Misapplications: Solidago canadensis
• Codon" SOLLEP

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• (unranked): Angiosperms
• (unranked): Eudicots
• (unranked): Asterids
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae
• Tribe: stereae
• Genus: Solidago
• Species: S. canadensi

Description

At a Glance: Forms patches from long creeping rhizomes. Stems leafy and hairy near the top, with a dense cluster of small yellow flowers.

Height: Up to 5 feet (1.5 meters).

Growth Form: Herb.

Stems: Leafy stems, hairy on upper portions.

Leaves: Lacking basal leaves; stem leaves numerous and crowded, gradually reduced upwards; saw-toothed to entire; hairless to roughly hairy on upper and lower sides; leaves are prominently 3-veined;

shape: lance-shaped to linear;

color: green. Flowers: Numerous flower heads in dense pyramidal cluster; ray flowers 10-17, 1-3 mm long; involucres 3-6mm x 3-5mm, long-pointed bracts that sometimes overlap, sometimes sticky and glandular.

Bloom Period

June, July, August, September.

Distribution

Across Canada and throughout the United States.

Habitat

Ecological Setting

Coastal bluffs, dunes or beaches; Open forests, Forest edges, openings, or clearings and thickets; Meadows or grassy areas; Prairie, Plains, Pastures, Savannahs, Stream banks, Roadsides and disturbed sites; low to mid elevations

Soil Texture

Coarse, medium, or fine.

Nutrients

Nutrient rich soil

Soil Reaction / Salinity

pH, Minimum 4.8 pH, Maximum 7.5
No salinity tolerance

Moisture Regime

Common in dry and moist habitats.

Shade Tolerance

Shade intolerant - mostly sunny 60%-80%

Uses

Wildlife

Birds: The seeds of goldenrod are eaten by numerous bird species.
Insects: The bright, showy flowers attract bumblebees and pine white, red admiral, and mylitta crescent butterflies. Syrphid flies and small wasps also frequently visit the goldenrod flowers.

First Nations

Infusion of roots and flowers used for flank pains; Infusion of flowers taken as an emetic; Compound infusion of tubers given to babies that start suddenly during sleep; Compound decoction used as wash for child who does not talk or laugh; Infusion of flower heads taken for diarrhea; Infusion of shoots given to children with fevers; Decoction of flower heads taken for the flu; Infusion of blossoms used for special kinds of fevers; Infusion of plant used as a bath for the parent at childbirth; Decoction of plant used as a bath for babies with diarrhea, sleeplessness or excessive crying; Decoction of plant tops taken for diarrhea; Decoction of plant and wild tarragon used as a wash for horses with cuts and sores; Crushed blossoms chewed for sore throat; Infusion of crushed blossoms taken for body pain; Seeds used for food; Roots steeped or eaten; Roots smoked with other tobaccos.