Stiff Goldenrod

Plant Info

Also known as:
Scientific name:	Oligoneuron rigidum
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry fields, prairies, along roads
Bloom season:	summer, 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

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Detailed Information

Flower:

A flat-topped cluster 2 to 5 inches across of 3/8-inch yellow flowers, each with about 10 short petals (ray flowers) and a yellow center.

Leaves:

There are both basal leaves, and leaves alternating up the stem. The basal leaves are up to 5½ inches long and 1½ inches wide and stand generally erect on long stems.

The alternating leaves are progressively smaller as they go up the stem. They have wavy edges, are fairly stiff (hence the name), point upward, and clasp the main stem. All leaves are a grayish green color, generally oval in shape, and are rough from short hairs.

Fruit:

The flowers transform to brown seed with attached fluff to carry them off in the wind.

More photos

• a clump of Stiff Goldenrod, the tallest about 40 inches

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, August 2006 and 2007

Comments

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

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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