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Solidago flexicaulis L.

Zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusSolidagoFrom Latin solido, “to make whole or heal,” because it was believed these species had healing properties
Speciesflexicaulis“Flexible”

About plant names...

These goldenrods are native to eastern North America. For a comparison chart of some of the varieties of goldenrods, see Solidago.

Identification: Plants are 2-4′ (60-121 cm) tall, usually unbranched. Stems tend to be mildly zig-zagged in shape, light green, and mostly smooth. Leaves are alternate, oval, with coarse teeth, 2-5″ (5-12 cm) × 1-4″ (2.5-10 cm). Leaf petioles (stems) are ¼-1½″ (6.3-38 mm) long. The leaves narrow quickly at the base, leaving little "wings" on the petiole. In addition to a flowerhead at the tip of the stem, which is up to 5″ (12 cm) long, there are smaller racemes along the upper portion of the stem. Individual flowers are about ¼″ (6.3 mm) around. Blooms from July to October. Most goldenrods need a lot of sun, but these tolerate partial sun or shade.

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

Minnesota Wildflowers

The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

EFloras

References:

Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 154

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/29/2013 · South Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) ID is uncertain

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/29/2013 · South Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 10 × 7″ (25 × 16 cm) ID is uncertain

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Solidago latifolia L.

 

Solidago flexicaulis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/29/2013 · South Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/29/2013 · South Bubble Hike, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm) ID is uncertain

Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod, broad-leaved goldenrod)

9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Range: Zones 3-8:

About this map...