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Other Names:Scientific Name: Solidago spp.
Plant Family: Compositae
Botanical Description: Many goldenrods are herbaceous weeds, although two tall goldenrods are more common. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) generally does not exceed 3 foot height, while rigid goldenrod (Solidago rigida L.) can reach 5 foot height. Gray goldenrod leaf margins are slightly serrated; rigid goldenrod leaves are smooth or shallowly round-toothed and basal leaves are distinctly spoon-shaped. Gray goldenrod flowers are in tight clusters on top of arching, curved, wands borne along upper portion of the stem; rigid goldenrod flowers are in dense, multi-branched upright heads on stem terminals.Stems: 6 inches to 6 feet tall, coarse, slightly to very hairy
Leaves: usually narrowly lance-shaped, may have hairy undersides, basal leaves on petioles, upper leaves alternate and either clasping stem or on short petiole stems
Roots: multiple shoots may rise from thick, shallow branched roots
Flowers: yellow, tiny, densely clustered, bloom July - September
Seeds: single seeds (achenes) oblong or cone-shaped, about 1/16 inch long, with a tuft of longer hairs on one tip
Seedling: Seed leaves are tiny with an obvious midvein. Early leaves are very crisp and firm, with a few short bristly hairs on the upper surface. Later leaves may be ash-colored, especially underneath, with hairs on the upper surface and edges. Leaves have few veins. Stem is not apparent until after seventh leaf stage, and then only if earlier leaves have fallen.
Reproduction: perennialPropagation: seed and persistent, stout, branched underground rootstock
Dispersal: wind-blown seed; may be introduced as contaminant of soil or cuttings
State: Many species common throughout Wisconsin.National: Goldenrods are found in most of the continental United States.
Origin:
Common dikes, roadways and dry, gravelly, open places such as abandoned fields and fence rows. Also common in forest meadows and prairies. Easily invades weak, bare patches in cranberry beds and new plantings.
While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 20% tall goldenrod, 20% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.
Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol 2. Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. pp. 412-439.Kummer, A. P. 1951. Weed Seedlings. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, U.S.A. p. 314.
Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 13.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 1981. Weeds of the North Central States: North Central Regional Research Publication No. 281. College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin 772. pp. 232-233.
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