145 Species in Genus Solidago

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. Plant FAQs: Solidago Altissima – Tall Goldenrod
  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. Plant FAQs: Solidago Caesia
  19. Solidago × calcicola Fernald
  20. Solidago canadensis L. Plant FAQs: Solidago Canadensis – Canada Goldenrod
  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. Plant FAQs: Solidago Flexicaulis – Zigzag Goldenrod
  44. Solidago gattingeri Chapm. ex A.Gray
  45. Solidago georgiana Semple
  46. Solidago gigantea Aiton Plant FAQs: Solidago Gigantea – Giant Goldenrod
  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 Plant FAQs: Solidago Juncea – Early Goldenrod
  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 Plant FAQs: Solidago Nemoralis – Gray Goldenrod
  84. Solidago × niederederi Khek
  85. Solidago nipponica Semple
  86. Solidago nitida Torr. & A.Gray
  87. Solidago odora Aiton Plant FAQs: Solidago Odora – Sweet Goldenrod
  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. Plant FAQs: Solidago Rigida – Stiff Goldenrod
  112. Solidago rigidiuscula (Torr. & A.Gray) Porter
  113. Solidago roanensis Porter
  114. Solidago rugosa Mill. Plant FAQs: Solidago Rugosa – Rough Goldenrod
  115. Solidago rupestris Raf.
  116. Solidago sciaphila E.S.Steele
  117. Solidago sempervirens L. Plant FAQs: Solidago Sempervirens – Seaside Goldenrod
  118. Solidago shortii Torr. & A.Gray
  119. Solidago simplex Kunth
  120. Solidago × snarskisii Gudž. & Žaln.
  121. Solidago spathulata DC.
  122. Solidago speciosa Nutt. Plant FAQs: Solidago Speciosa – Showy Goldenrod
  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. Plant FAQs: Solidago Virgaurea – European Goldenrod
  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.

Scroll to Top