Solidago Speciosa Botany By Dr. John Hilty

Aster family (Asteraceae)

Cultivation: 

“The preference is full or partial sun, and slightly moist to slight dry conditions. The soil can contain significant amounts of loam, sand, or rocky material. Occasionally, the leaves succumb to powdery mildew and other kinds of foliar disease, particularly after the blooming period is over in the fall. This plant is easy to grow, but can topple over if it is spoiled by excessive moisture or fertilizer.” (Hilty)

Faunal Associations: 

“The flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, ants, beetles, and the occasional moth or butterfly. Among the beetles, are such visitors as Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle) and Epicauta pensylvanica (Black Blister Beetle). These insects seek nectar primarily. The caterpillars of many moths feed on various parts of this goldenrod and others (see Moth Table). Other insect feeders include various leafhoppers, lace bugs, plant bugs, and beetles. To a limited extent, the seeds are eaten by the Eastern Goldfinch and the Greater Prairie Chicken. Mammalian herbivores occasionally eat the leaves, stems, and flowers, including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. When this plant is infected by a fungus (Coleosporium sp.), it can cause sickness and death in cattle and horses. Like other goldenrods, it may contain a hemolytic agent that is mildly poisonous to some herbivores.” (Hilty)

Covers:

1. “Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)” by wackybadger is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/8584048@N05/28886419544>
2. “Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)” by wackybadger is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
3. “Showy goldenrod, Solidago speciosa, native garden, new england” by sapienssolutions is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

North Carolina Extension plant description: Solidago Speciosa (Goldenrod, Showy Goldenrod) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-speciosa/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2022.

John Hilty botany, cultivation, faunal associations: John Hilty, “Showy Goldenrod”, Illinois Wildflowers, the publisher, Copyright 2004-2019. Accessed 29 January 2022

Botanical Illustration: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=358047

Information and images compiled by Erik N. Vegeto

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