Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Canada Goldenrod

Plant Info
Also known as:	Tall Goldenrod
Scientific name:	Solidago canadensis
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; fields, along roads, open woods
Bloom season:	summer, fall
Plant height:	2 to 5 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: Flowers are in plume-shaped spikes branching off the top of the plant, the flowers growing on just one side of a stem. Individual flowers are less than ¼ inch across, with 10 to 17 yellow petals (ray flowers).
Leaves and stem:: There can be wide variations in characteristics, but generally, leaves are to 6 inches long and 1 inch wide, tapering to a point at the tip and narrowing at the base, with no leaf stem and small teeth around the edges. There are 3 veins running parallel from near the base of the leaf. The underside of the leaf is hairy, especially along the veins and the upper side has a rough texture. The main stem has lines of fine short hairs in the upper part of the plant; the lower part of the stem may be smooth or hairy.
Notes:: Canada Goldenrod grows almost anywhere and can form large colonies, crowding out other plants and creating something of a monoculture. Which just goes to show that just because it's native doesn't necessarily mean it's desirable.

More yellow wildflowers. Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN September 2006 and August-September 2007

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?