Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Showy Goldenrod

Plant Info
Also known as:
Scientific name:	Solidago speciosa
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry fields, prairies, edges of woods
Bloom season:	late summer, early fall
Plant height:	1 to 5 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Flower:: Erect spike cluster up to 12 inches long of ¼-inch yellow flowers. Individual flowers have 4 to 10 irregularly spaced petals; not all may be open at the same time. The cluster tends to be densely packed and is conical or cylindrical in shape.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are up to 6 inches long and 1½ inches wide, pointed at the tip and tapering to narrow “wings” at the base. There is a prominent vein down the center. Leaves are hairless with smooth edges, alternately attached. Their size gradually decreases as they ascend the main stem.
Small leaves develop in the leaf axils in the upper part of the stem. The stems are hairless and may be green or reddish.
Notes:: The spikes of most goldenrods tend to hang down or droop. Showy Goldenrod stays erect, or curves upward. They tend to grow in clumps.