Characteristics:
A tall flowering perennial with small, yellow flowers that are clustered in heads. It can be distinguished from similar goldenrods by its leaves that are nearly hairless, which decrease in size towards the apex of the stem. Leaves are simple and ovate in shape and alternate along a free standing woody stem, there can be multiple flowering stems from one plant. Being a perennial there can evidence of previous years leaves left on the plant. The flower head is separate on its own stalk and has a mixture of tubular disk flowers and single petal ray flowers. Each flowering stem will have more than 4 and up to 10 flower heads attached. Said flower heads are rounded across the top forming a cylindrical cluster. These flower heads will be transformed into clusters of tufted seeds that will catch the late autumn breezes. Underground there is a single rhizome that is surrounded by a firm hardy root mass.
Traditional Uses:
Flowers harvested and processed as a tincture are used for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Etymology:
Forest goldenrod's (arguta) means sharp, referring to the sharp and toothed leaves
Solidago arguta
Forest Goldenrod
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Herbacious perennial
Height: 4’
Spread: Broad
Bloom: Golden-yellow, July- October
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry
Attracts: Butterflies
Propagation: Wind dispersed
Tolerates: Disturbed habitats
