Leaf:  Alternate, simple; blades lanceolate, pointed at tip, narrowed to the base, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, 1 inch (2.5 cm) across; margin toothed, having larger teeth on lower leaves and smaller teeth on upper leaves; upper surface dark green, rough, with 3 major veins; lower surface paler, hairy; petioles on lower leaves, uppermost leaves smaller and sessile; lowest leaves usually gone by flowering time; remaining leaves turning yellow for short period in Autumn.  

Flower:  Many tiny flowers arranged in a pyramidal panicle 2 to12 inches (5 to 30 cm) high, each raceme long and curving with flowers down 1 side; inner flowers tubular, 5 to 15 outer flowers yellow and ray-like, petals notched at the tip; blooming August to October.

Fruit:  Achenes elongated, 2 mm long, smooth or hairy, with a tuft of soft, white hairs at the tip. 

Stem:  Upright, branched or unbranched, smooth to hairy, up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall.   

Form:  Upright, tall, perennial forb with flowers at the top.  Tall goldenrod can spread into a large colony through its rhizomes.

Discussion

The genus name Solidago is from the Latin "solidare" meaning "to make whole", referring to the traditional medicinal uses of the goldenrods.  The species name altissima means "very tall" or "the tallest".  At heights over 2 meters, tall goldenrod merits this species name.  

Tall goldenrod brightens the autumn with its yellow blooms that are food for all kinds of bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other insect species.  Praying mantises often lay their eggs on goldenrod, no doubt attracted by the abundant insects upon which praying mantises prey.  Tall goldenrod stands provide cover for birds and small mammals.

The Chippewa used tall goldenrod  in a tea to relieve cramps.  They called tall goldenrod "sun medicine".  Some Native Americans made a poultice for boils by grinding and moistening the root.  Tall goldenrod flowers were commonly used to dye wool, silk, and other fabrics.

Tall goldenrod is often accused of causing hay fever because it blooms at the same time as the real culprit, ragweed.  Goldenrod is innocent of this charge.  Some people collect goldenrod to use in dried arrangements.
Tall goldenrod is the state flower of Kentucky.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Solidago altissima can be identified by its pubescent stems, 3-veined, lanceolate leaves with sharp teeth, pyramid-shaped inflorescences, and small yellow flowers, which are only about 3-5mm tall.

Associated Plants

In old fields:  common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota), and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta).  In woods:  aster (Aster sagittifolius) and white vervain (Verbena urticifolia).

Distribution    

Tall goldenrod grows across the contiguous 48 states, inhabiting either moist or somewhat dry soils, and favoring roadsides, fencerows, abandoned fields or pastures, tallgrass prairies, and open woodlands.

Images

Click each small picture to see a larger image. 

October, 2003 DO	October, 2003 DO	October, 2003 DO	October, 2003 DO
October, 2003 DO	October, 2003 DO	October, 2003 DO

Location

N 39.26943°   W -89.89118° 
Located in Loveless Park behind the south soccer field, 14 steps down the fitness trail, on the west side of the path, park located on South Locust Street, Carlinville, Macoupin County, IL.

Copyright

Photos © 2003 Danny Ondrey and Andy Caudle, Carlinville High School, linke@carlinvilleschools.net       
         
References 

Minnesota Ethnobotany, eMuseum, Minnesota State University (Mankato)
http://www.mankato.msus.edu/emuseum/cultural/ethnoarchaeology/ethnobotany/medical2s.html  

Southern Wetland Flora, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, United States Geological Survey
http://www.npsc.nbs.gov/resource/1999/soutflor/species/8/solialti.htm

Gregg M. Pasterick.  "Goldenrods: The Severest Punishment or Sun Medicine?”  Wildflowers of North America, Suite101.com.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/wildflowers_north_america/102915

The Missouri Flora Website
http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Solidago_altissima_page.html

Mohlenbrock, Robert H.  1981.  Wildflowers of fields, roadsides, and open habitats of Illinois.  Illinois Dept. of Conservation, Division of Forest Resources and Natural Heritage, Springfield.  226 pp. 

Venning, Frank D.  1984.  Wildflowers of North America.  Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine (WI).  340 pp.

 Click here to return to the plant list for Carlinville High School's South-Central Illinois flora studies.