RIGID GOLDENROD

RIGID GOLDENROD

Solidago rigida
SUNFLOWER FAMILY (Asteraceae)

Identification

  • Flowering time - August, September
  • Rare in prairies at NW
  • Flat-topped flower cluster
  • Alternate, stalkless, oval leaves
  • Larger individual flowers than most goldenrods
Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This native perennial with stout, unbranched stems grows to 5 feet tall.  Stem leaves are alternate, becoming progressively smaller, usually stalkless above (E). Unlike our other goldenrods, its leaves are firm, leathery and more oval in shape (C). Numerous branching flower stalks form a showy, flat-topped flower cluster (A). Individual flower heads, larger than most goldenrods, are up to 1/2 inch wide with 7-14 petal-like ray florets surrounding the yellow disk florets (B).

Found in dry to moist well-drained prairie sites, flowering in August and September.  It is rare in the Nebraska Prairie restoration at Neale Woods.

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