Summer Wildflowers: Goldenrod

I usually have a hard time identifying small, yellow wildflowers - there are so many similar ones - but goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) stands out due to its height and its upward-facing flowers.

Photo Credit: Steve Chilton, Flickr

These plants can be up to five feet tall with “leafy, hairy stems.” The leaves can be up to 5 inches long and are “leathery with toothed margins,” growing close to the stem. Its golden, upright flowers most often bloom from July to September.

Photo Credit: Steve Chilton, Flickr

Goldenrod grows in moist areas, including meadows, open woods, and streambanks from the plains to the montane regions. This plant is enjoyed by many species of pollinators, primarily bees and butterflies; while its pollen is commonly blamed for seasonal allergies, this is unlikely as its pollen is sticky and not airborne. Goldenrod is also forage for “cattle, sheep, horses, and whitetail deer.”