Asteraceae

Solidago canadensis

Canada Goldenrod

Erect, tall, undivided stems from creeping root. Many stem leaves, middle ones largest. Leaves 2–5 in., lance-shaped, with fine even teeth. Lower leaves drop before bloom time. Inflorescence is large club-shaped cluster holding yellow flower heads. Flower heads in cups with sticky bracts, 10–13 short ray flowers around few disk flowers. Grows in meadows, thickets, at low to subalpine elevations. Prefers undisturbed places. Nonnative var. salebrosa grows on disturbed soils, has stem leaves all about same size, entire or slightly toothed, with flowers in dense pyramid-shaped cluster.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: Late Summer-Autumn
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 2--5 feet
• Habitat: Meadow, West-Side Forest, East-Side Forest, Coastal
• Found In: East Gorge, West Gorge, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, Wallowas, Steens, Crater Lake Np
• Native: Yes