Species of Genus Solidago

145 Goldenrod: A Love Affair with Solidago

My name is Ferb Vu, and I have a confession to make: I’m utterly captivated by goldenrod. Not the fleeting shimmer of gold leaf, but the vibrant, sun-soaked blossoms of the Solidago genus. These wildflowers, often unfairly maligned as allergy triggers, are in truth botanical marvels and a testament to nature’s artistry.

For those unfamiliar, Solidago – or goldenrod as it’s commonly known – is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. This puts them in the company of daisies, sunflowers, and asters, a lineage evident in their cheerful, composite flower heads. But it’s the sheer diversity within the Solidago genus that truly fascinates me. Imagine over 100 distinct species, each with its own personality, its own nuanced shade of gold, its own preferred niche in the landscape. From the towering Solidago canadensis reaching for the sky to the diminutive Solidago sphacelata hugging the ground, goldenrod paints the late summer and autumn landscape with strokes of vibrant yellow.

A Tapestry of Goldenrod Species

To truly appreciate Solidago, one must delve into the specifics. Here are:

1. Solidago albopilosa E.L.Braun
2. Solidago altiplanities C.E.S.Taylor & R.John Taylor
3. Solidago altissima L.
4. Solidago arenicola B.R.Keener & Kral
5. Solidago argentinensis Lopez Laphitz & Semple
6. Solidago arguta Aiton
7. Solidago × asperula Desf
8. Solidago auriculata Shuttlew. ex S.F.Blake
9. Solidago austrina Small
10. Solidago austrocaroliniana Semple & J.B.Nelson
11. Solidago ayuhwasi M.Brock & D.Estes
12. Solidago bartramiana Fernald
13. Solidago × beaudryi B.Boivin
14. Solidago × bernardii B.Boivin
15. Solidago bicolor L.
16. Solidago brachyphylla Chapm. ex Torr. & A.Gray
17. Solidago buckleyi Torr. & A.Gray
18. Solidago caesia L.
19. Solidago × calcicola Fernald
20. Solidago canadensis L.
21. Solidago capulinensis Cockerell & D.M.Andrews
22. Solidago chapmanii A.Gray
23. Solidago chilensis Meyen
24. Solidago chlorolepis Fernald
25. Solidago chrysopsis Small
26. Solidago compacta Turcz.
27. Solidago confinis A.Gray
28. Solidago correllii Semple
29. Solidago cuprea Juz.
30. Solidago curtisii Torr. & A.Gray
31. Solidago dahurica (Kitag.) Kitag. ex Juz.
32. Solidago decurrens Lour.
33. Solidago delicatula Small
34. Solidago drummondii Torr. & A.Gray
35. Solidago durangensis G.L.Nesom
36. Solidago elongata Nutt.
37. Solidago erecta Banks
38. Solidago ericamerioides G.L.Nesom
39. Solidago × erskinei B.Boivin
40. Solidago fallax (Fernald) Semple
41. Solidago faucibus Wieboldt
42. Solidago fistulosa Mill.
43. Solidago flexicaulis L.
44. Solidago gattingeri Chapm. ex A.Gray
45. Solidago georgiana Semple
46. Solidago gigantea Aiton
47. Solidago gillmanii (A.Gray) E.S.Steele
48. Solidago glomerata Michx.
49. Solidago gracillima Torr. & A.Gray
50. Solidago guiradonis A.Gray
51. Solidago gypsophila G.L.Nesom
52. Solidago hintoniorum G.L.Nesom
53. Solidago hispida Muhl. ex Willd.
54. Solidago horieana Kadota
55. Solidago houghtonii Torr. & A.Gray
56. Solidago jejunifolia E.S.Steele
57. Solidago juliae G.L.Nesom
58. Solidago juncea Aiton
59. Solidago kralii Semple
60. Solidago × krotkovii B.Boivin
61. Solidago kuhistanica Popov
62. Solidago lancifolia (Torr. & A.Gray) Chapm.
63. Solidago latissimifolia Mill.
64. Solidago leavenworthii Torr. & A.Gray
65. Solidago leiocarpa DC.
66. Solidago × leiophallax Friesner
67. Solidago lepida DC.
68. Solidago litoralis Savi
69. Solidago ludoviciana Small
70. Solidago × lutea (A.Perry) Brouillet & Semple
71. Solidago × lutescens (Lindl. ex DC.) B.Boivin
72. Solidago macrophylla Banks
73. Solidago macvaughii G.L.Nesom
74. Solidago × maheuxii B.Boivin
75. Solidago maya Semple
76. Solidago mexicana L.
77. Solidago minutissima (Makino) Kitam.
78. Solidago missouriensis Nutt.
79. Solidago mollis Bartl.
80. Solidago muelleri Standl.
81. Solidago multiradiata Aiton
82. Solidago nana Nutt.
83. Solidago nemoralis Aiton
84. Solidago × niederederi Khek
85. Solidago nipponica Semple
86. Solidago nitida Torr. & A.Gray
87. Solidago odora Aiton
88. Solidago ohioensis Riddell
89. Solidago ontarioensis (G.S.Ringius) Semple & J.A.Peirson
90. Solidago orientalis (G.L.Nesom) G.L.Nesom
91. Solidago ouachitensis C.E.S.Taylor & R.John Taylor
92. Solidago ovata Friesner
93. Solidago pacifica Juz.
94. Solidago pallida (Porter) Rydb.
95. Solidago paniculata DC.
96. Solidago patagonica Phil.
97. Solidago patula Muhl. ex Willd.
98. Solidago patuliginosa Friesner
99. Solidago petiolaris Aiton
100. Solidago pinetorum Small
101. Solidago plumosa Small
102. Solidago polyglossa DC.
103. Solidago pringlei Fernald
104. Solidago ptarmicoides (Torr. & A.Gray) B.Boivin
105. Solidago puberula Nutt.
106. Solidago pulchra Small
107. Solidago racemosa Greene
108. Solidago radula Nutt.
109. Solidago randii (Porter) Britton
110. Solidago riddellii Frank
111. Solidago rigida L.
112. Solidago rigidiuscula (Torr. & A.Gray) Porter
113. Solidago roanensis Porter
114. Solidago rugosa Mill.
115. Solidago rupestris Raf.
116. Solidago sciaphila E.S.Steele
117. Solidago sempervirens L.
118. Solidago shortii Torr. & A.Gray
119. Solidago simplex Kunth
120. Solidago × snarskisii Gudž. & Žaln.
121. Solidago spathulata DC.
122. Solidago speciosa Nutt.
123. Solidago spectabilis (D.C.Eaton) A.Gray
124. Solidago spellenbergii Semple
125. Solidago sphacelata Raf.
126. Solidago spithamaea M.A.Curtis ex A.Gray
127. Solidago squarrosa Nutt.
128. Solidago stricta Aiton
129. Solidago tarda Mack. ex Small
130. Solidago tortifolia Elliott
131. Solidago turnerorum Semple
132. Solidago uliginosa Nutt.
133. Solidago ulmicaesia Friesner
134. Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd.
135. Solidago velutina DC.
136. Solidago veracruziensis Semple
137. Solidago verna M.A.Curtis ex Torr. & A.Gray
138. Solidago villosicarpa LeBlond
139. Solidago virgata Michx.
140. Solidago virgaurea L.
141. Solidago vossii J.S.Pringle & Laureto
142. Solidago wrightii A.Gray
143. Solidago yambaruensis S.Sakag. & Mot.Ito
144. Solidago yokusaiana Makino
145. Solidago zedia (R.E.Cook & Semple) Semple & J.B.Beck

Beyond the Beauty: Goldenrod’s Ecological Role

My fascination with goldenrod goes beyond its aesthetic appeal. This genus plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Its flowers are a late-season nectar source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, providing crucial sustenance before winter sets in. The seeds are a food source for birds, and the foliage provides habitat for various insects. Goldenrod even has a role to play in soil health, its deep roots helping to prevent erosion.

Dispelling the Allergy Myth

It’s a common misconception that goldenrod is responsible for seasonal allergies. The real culprit is often ragweed (Ambrosia), which blooms around the same time. Goldenrod, with its heavy pollen grains, relies on insects for pollination, while ragweed’s lightweight pollen is easily dispersed by the wind.

Goldenrod in the Garden

I encourage everyone to consider adding goldenrod to their gardens. These hardy plants are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. They bring a burst of late-season color and attract a host of beneficial insects. Just be mindful of their potential to spread and choose species that suit your space.

A Golden Opportunity

Goldenrod, to me, represents resilience, adaptability, and the enduring beauty of the natural world. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity – be it harsh conditions or unfair accusations – there’s always a chance to shine. So, next time you see a swathe of goldenrod gracing the landscape, take a moment to appreciate its splendor. You might just find yourself falling in love, too.