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For Your Garden - November 2008
goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Illinois Status: common, native
There are many species of goldenrods native to Illinois. They grow in prairies as well as disturbed areas. Their smooth stems are generally unbranched, except for those species where branches form at the top of the stem. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. Leaves are narrow, pointed at the tip, stiff and lack a stalk. The small, golden yellow flowers develop in large clusters at the stem tip. Flowers appear from August through September and may last until November if conditions are favorable. The dense roots of these plants help to hold the soil in place. Soldier beetles are attracted to these plants. They carry the sticky pollen from plant to plant as they feed on the flowers. As goldenrod pollen is carried by insects and not by wind, it is not a cause of hay fever, although this misconception persists.
Classification and taxonomy are based on Mohlenbrock, Robert H. 2014. Vascular flora of Illinois: A field guide. Fourth edition. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. 536 pp.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Habitats
Woodland Habitats
upland deciduous forests
Prairie and Edge Habitats
black soil prairie; sand prairie
Native Plant Information
For more information about Illinois native plants, visit our Native Habitat Descriptions, Requirements, and Plant Lists page. The following publications are available from the IDNR on our publications page.
