This native perennial, an erect plant, has a pyramid-shaped yellow flower cluster at the top of a rough-to-the-touch stem; it grows to 6 feet and taller. The leaves are lance-shaped and toothed. The individual yellow flowers are arranged along the upper sides of branches. Goldenrods in our area are not always easy to identify; they are quite variable and seem to hybridize freely. The typical plume shape of the Canada Goldenrod is shown (A), along with its hairy stem (C). Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) is the other goldenrod found in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It has a smooth, often reddish stem, which is usually arched due to the heavy weight of its flower clusters. Two other goldenrods (Prairie and Rigid) are present at Neale Woods. Compare with their descriptions and images.