Canadian Goldenrod - Solidago canadensis
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Species Description
Stace 4:
Solidago canadensis L. (S. altissima auct. non L.) - Canadian Goldenrod.
Stems erect, to 2.5m; capitula on erecto-patent to patent curved branches forming terminal pyramidal inflorescence; disc flowers 2-8; ligules 5-15; (2n=18). Neophyte-naturalised; much grown in gardens; fully naturalised on waste land, banks, waysides and rough grassland; frequent throughout Central and South Britain, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, scattered in North Britain and Ireland; North America.
The precise identity of British material of S. canadensis is uncertain; some of it might be cultivars or hybrids that have arisen here, particularly with S. rugosa and S. gigantea. Most plants fall under var. hargeri Fernald. The true S. altissima (S. canadensis ssp. altissima (L.) O. Bolòs & Virgo, var. scabra Torr. & A. Gray) probably does not occur here.
Key:
- Leaves with 1(-2) pairs of main lateral veins from near base, running parallel with midrib for most of length
- Leaves serrate, at least near apex; stems within inflorescence and capitulum stalks hairy
- Leaves scabrid-hairy on surfaces; stems hairy at least in top 1/2