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{{SPlantbox
|familia=Asteraceae
|genus=Solidago
|common_name=Goldenrod
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|features=flowers, naturalizes, invasive
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=IMG 0010 nybg09.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Solidago 'Leraft'
}}
The '''goldenrods''' are genus of [[flowering plants]] in the Family [[Asteraceae]].

About 100<ref name="fna">{{cite web | url = http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=130659 | title = Solidago | work = Flora of North America}}</ref> [[perennial]] species make up the [[genus]] ''Solidago'', most being found in the meadows and pastures, along roads, ditches and waste areas in [[North America]].  There are a handful of species from each of Mexico, South America, and Eurasia.<ref name="fna"/> Some American species have also been introduced into [[Europe]] some 250 years ago.

Many species are difficult to distinguish.  Probably due to their bright, golden yellow flower heads blooming in late summer, the goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing [[hay fever]] in humans.  The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by [[Ragweed]] (''Ambrosia sp.''), blooming at the same time as the goldenrod, but is wind-pollinated. Goldenrod [[pollen]] is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is thus mainly pollinated by insects.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}  Frequent handling of goldenrod and other flowers, however, can cause allergic reactions.<ref>Occupational allergy caused by flowers, journal = Allergy, volume = 53, issue = 2, pages = 204–9, issn = 0105-4538</ref>

Goldenrods are easily recognized by their golden inflorescence with hundreds of small capitula, but some are spike-like and other have auxiliary [[raceme]]s.

They have slender [[Plant stem|stems]], usually hairless but ''S. canadensis'' shows hairs on the upper stem. They can grow to a length between 60&nbsp;cm and 1.5 m.

Their alternate leaves are linear to lanceolate. Their margins are usually finely to sharply serrated.

Propagation is by wind-disseminated [[seed]] or by underground [[rhizome]]s. They form patches that are actually vegetative [[vegetative reproduction|clone]]s of a single plant.

British gardeners adopted goldenrod long before Americans. Goldenrod only began to gain some acceptance in American gardening (other than wildflower gardening) during the 1980s. A putative hybrid with [[Aster (genus)|aster]], known as ''x Solidaster'' is less unruly, with pale yellow flowers, equally suitable for dried arrangements.  Molecular and other evidence points to Solidaster (at least [[cultivar]] Lemore) being a hybrid of ''[[Solidago ptarmicoides]]'' and ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' (the former is now placed in ''Solidago'', but is the "aster" of the name, as it has had a checkered taxonomic past).<ref>[http://web.utk.edu/~rsmall/Solidaster.pdf Molecular analysis of Solidaster cv. Lemore, a hybrid goldenrod (Asteraceae)]</ref>

''Solidago canadensis'' was introduced as a garden plant in Central Europe, and is now common in the wild. In [[Germany]], it is considered an [[invasive species]] that displaces native vegetation from its natural habitat.

Goldenrod is a [[companion plant]], playing host to some beneficial insects, and repelling some pests.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}

{{Inc|
Solidago (according to Gray, from "solidus and ago, to make solid or draw together, in allusion to reputed vulnerary properties"). Compositae. Golden-Rod. Perennial herbs very useful for borders and for colonizing, but little known in the trade.

Erect, of various habit, with simple alternate lvs. and many small yellow (rarely whitish) heads in spikes, thyrses, compound panicles, or racemes: heads oblong or narrow-campanulate, with small mostly appressed scales, containing few florets, the disk-florets all perfect and the ray-florets in one series and pistillate: pappus of 1 or 2 rows of roughish capillary bristles.— The genus is characteristic of E. N. Amer., where about 60 species occur. There are several species on the Pacific coast, a few in Mex. and S. Amer., and 2 or 3 in Eu. and N. Asia, making, altogether, perhaps 130 species. A very few of the important species may be described here; for others, the current botanical manuals should be consulted.

Amongst the glories of the American autumn are the asters and goldenrods. They complement each other. The asters run in cyanic colors, goldenrods in xanthic, —the blue and blush on the one hand and the yellow and golden on the other. Because the goldenrods are so common, they have not been appreciated for planting. They improve in the garden, however, the plants becoming larger and the bloom fuller and richer. They present few difficulties in cultivation. They may be transplanted from the wild with the greatest ease, and the stools may be lifted and divided as soon as they become root-bound and show signs of failing. Some of them become weedy if the soil is very rich. The solidagos are variable, even within the same species. Therefore it is well to mark fine individual clumps when in bloom, for removal in late autumn or early spring. The observation of a single season should result in a fine collection of individual plants. A very attractive grouping of asters and goldenrods can be made entirely of native species: with a background of sumac, the autumnal colors of which are beautifully harmonized by the blues and purples of the asters and the yellows and cream-yellows of the goldenrods.

Any number of Solidagos may be offered in lists, but they are scarcely trade commodities. S. Buckleyi, Torr. & Gray, N. C. to Ala., is a plant described as 2 or 3 ft. high, with ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate lvs., and heads in a loose and elongated thyrse; the name is listed abroad, the plant said to be "suitable for rock- garden, later summer-flowering, yellow, 1 ft." — S. flexuosa, S. gigantea, S. laevigata, are also listed, but the writers do not know what plants pass under these names in cult. — S. sempervirens. Linn. A maritime fleshy-lvd. smooth plant, tall and stout, 2-4 ft. and more: lvs. entire, lanceolate to lance-oblong: heads in short racemes which are disposed in a panicle. Atlantic seaboard of the U. S. — S. spectabilis, Gray. Plant 1-2 1/2 ft. tall: lvs. lanceolate to linear, the lower oblong or more or less spatulate and sparingly serrate: heads golden yellow, numerous and crowded in a thyrse. Nev. to Calif. 
{{SCH}}
}}

==Cultivation==


===Propagation===


===Pests and diseases===


==Species==
[[File:Solidago albopilosa.jpg|thumb|''[[Solidago albopilosa]]'']]
[[Image:Goldenrods in Fountain County, Indiana.png|thumb|right|Goldenrods in rural [[Fountain County, Indiana]].]]
* ''[[Solidago albopilosa]]'' E.L. Braun : Whitehair Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago altiplanities]]'' C.& J. Taylor : High Plains Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago arguta]]'' Ait. : Atlantic Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago arguta]]''. var. ''arguta'' : Atlantic Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago arguta]]'' var. ''boottii'' (Hook.) Palmer & Steyermark : Boott's Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago arguta]]'' var. ''caroliniana'' Gray : Atlantic Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago arguta]]'' var. ''harrisii'' (Steele) Cronq. : Harris' Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago arguta]]'' var. ''neurolepis'' (Fern.) Steyermark : Atlantic Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago auriculata]]'' Shuttlw. ex Blake : Eared Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago bicolor]]'' L. : White Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago brachyphylla]]'' Chapman : Dixie Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago buckleyi]]'' Torr. & Gray : Buckley's Goldenrod (VU)
* ''[[Solidago caesia]]'' L. : Wreath Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago caesia]]'' var. ''caesia'' : Wreath Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago caesia]]'' var. ''curtisii'' (Torr. & Gray) Wood : Mountain Decumbent Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago calcicola]]'' Fern. : Limestone Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago californica]]'' Nutt. : California Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' L. : Canada Goldenrod, Canadian Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' var. ''canadensis'' : Canada Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' var. ''gilvocanescens'' Rydb. : Shorthair Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' var. ''hargeri'' Fern. : Harger's Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' var. ''lepida'' (DC.) Cronq. : Canada Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago canadensis]]'' var. ''salebrosa'' (Piper) M.E. Jones : Salebrosa Goldenrod
** ''Solidago canadensis'' var. ''scabra'' (''[[Solidago altissima]]'') Torr. & Gray : Canada Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago confinis]]''
* ''[[Solidago cutleri]]'' Fern. : Cutler's alpine Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago deamii]]'' Fern. : Deam's Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago discoidea]]'' Ell. : Rayless Mock Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago fistulosa]]'' P. Mill. : Pinebarren Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago flaccidifolia]]'' Small : Mountain Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago flexicaulis]]'' L. : Zigzag Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago gattingeri]]'' Chapman : Gattinger's Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago gigantea]]'' Ait. : Giant Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago glomerata]]'' Michx. : Clustered Goldenrod
* ''Solidago gracillima'' Torr. & Gray : Virginia Goldenrod
* ''Solidago guiradonis'' Gray : Guirado Goldenrod
* ''Solidago hispida'' Muhl. ex Willd. : Hairy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago hispida'' var. ''arnoglossa'' Fern. : Hairy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago hispida'' var. ''hispida'' : Hairy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago hispida'' var. ''lanata'' (Hook.) Fern. : Hairy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago hispida'' var. ''tonsa'' Fern. : Hairy Goldenrod
* ''Solidago juliae'' Nesom : Julia's Goldenrod
* ''Solidago juncea'' Ait. : Early Goldenrod
* ''Solidago latissimifolia'' P. Mill. : Elliott's Goldenrod
* ''Solidago leavenworthii'' Torr. & Gray : Leavenworth's Goldenrod
* ''Solidago ludoviciana'' (Gray) Small : Louisiana Goldenrod
* ''Solidago macrophylla'' Pursh : Largeleaf Goldenrod
* ''Solidago missouriensis'' Nutt. : Missouri Goldenrod
** ''Solidago missouriensis'' var. ''fasciculata'' Holz. : Missouri Goldenrod
** ''Solidago missouriensis'' var. ''missouriensis'' : Missouri Goldenrod
** ''Solidago missouriensis'' var. ''tenuissima'' (Woot. & Standl.) C.& J. Taylor : Missouri Goldenrod
[[Image:GoldenRodGallFly.jpg|thumb|Goldenrod [[achene]] and [[gall]]s]]
** ''Solidago missouriensis'' Nutt. var. ''tolmieana'' (Gray) Cronq. : Tolmies' Goldenrod
* ''Solidago mollis'' Bartl. : Velvety Goldenrod
** ''Solidago mollis'' var. ''angustata'' Shinners : Velvety Goldenrod
** ''Solidago mollis'' var. ''mollis'' : Velvety Goldenrod
* ''Solidago multiradiata'' Ait. : Rocky Mountain Goldenrod, Alpine Goldenrod
** ''Solidago multiradiata'' var. ''arctica'' (DC.) Fern. : Arctic Goldenrod
** ''Solidago multiradiata'' var. ''multiradiata'' : Rocky Mountain Goldenrod
** ''Solidago multiradiata'' var. ''scopulorum'' Gray : Manyray Goldenrod
* ''Solidago nana'' Nutt. : Baby Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago nemoralis]]'' Ait. : Gray Goldenrod, American Western Goldenrod
** ''Solidago nemoralis'' var. ''longipetiolata'' (Mackenzie & Bush) Palmer & Steyermark : Gray Goldenrod
** ''Solidago nemoralis'' var. ''nemoralis'' : Gray Goldenrod
* ''Solidago odora'' Ait. : Anise-scented Goldenrod, Sweet Goldenrod
** ''Solidago odora'' var. ''chapmanii'' (Gray) Cronq. : Chapman's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago odora'' var. ''odora'' : Anise-scented Goldenrod
* ''Solidago ouachitensis'' C.& J. Taylor : Ouachita Mountain Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago patula]]'' Muhl. ex Willd. : Roundleaf Goldenrod
** ''Solidago patula'' var. ''patula'' : Roundleaf Goldenrod
** ''Solidago patula'' var. ''strictula'' Torr. & Gray : Roundleaf Goldenrod
* ''Solidago petiolaris'' Ait. : Downy Ragged Goldenrod
** ''Solidago petiolaris'' var. ''angusta'' (Torr. & Gray) Gray : Downy Ragged Goldenrod
** ''Solidago petiolaris'' var. ''petiolaris'' : Downy Ragged Goldenrod
* ''Solidago pinetorum'' Small : Small's Goldenrod
* ''Solidago plumosa'' Small : Plumed Goldenrod
* ''Solidago porteri'' Small : Porter's Goldenrod
* ''Solidago puberula'' Nutt. : Downy Goldenrod (VU)
** ''Solidago puberula'' var. ''puberula'' : Downy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago puberula'' var. ''pulverulenta'' (Nutt.) Chapman : Downy Goldenrod
* ''Solidago pulchra'' Small : Carolina Goldenrod
* ''Solidago radula'' Nutt. : Western Rough Goldenrod
** ''Solidago radula'' var. ''laeta'' (Greene) Fern. : Western Rough Goldenrod
** ''Solidago radula'' var. ''radula'' : Western Rough Goldenrod
** ''Solidago radula'' var. ''stenolepis'' Fern. : Western Rough Goldenrod
* ''Solidago roanensis'' Porter : Roan Mountain Goldenrod (Endangered)
* ''[[Solidago rugosa]]'' P. Mill. : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod, Rough-stemmed Goldenrod
** ''Solidago rugosa'' subsp. ''aspera'' (Ait.) Cronq. : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
** ''Solidago rugosa'' subsp. ''rugosa'' : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago rugosa'' subsp. ''rugosa'' var. ''rugosa'' : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago rugosa'' subsp. ''rugosa'' var. ''sphagnophila'' Graves : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago rugosa'' subsp. ''rugosa'' var. ''villosa'' (Pursh) Fern. : Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod
* ''Solidago rupestris'' Raf. : Eock Goldenrod
* ''Solidago sciaphila'' Steele : Shadowy Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago sempervirens]]'' L. : Seaside Goldenrod, Beach Goldenrod
** ''Solidago sempervirens'' var. ''mexicana'' (L.) Fern. : Seaside Goldenrod
** ''Solidago sempervirens'' var. ''sempervirens'' : Seaside Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago shortii]]'' Torr. & Gray : Short's Goldenrod (Endangered)
* ''Solidago simplex'' Kunth : Mt. Albert Goldenrod
* ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' (Porter) Ringius : Rand's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' var. ''gillmanii'' (Gray) Ringius : Rand's Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' var. ''monticola'' (Porter) Ringius : Rand's Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' var. ''ontarioensis'' (Ringius) Ringius : Ontario Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' var. ''racemosa'' (Greene) Ringius : Rand's Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''randii'' var. ''randii'' (Porter) Kartesz & Gandhi : Rand's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''simplex'' : Mt. Albert Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''simplex'' var''. nana'' (Gray) Ringius : Dwarf Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''simplex'' var. ''simplex'' : Mt. Albert Goldenrod
*** ''Solidago simplex'' subsp. ''simplex'' var. ''spathulata'' (DC.) Cronq. : Mt. Albert Goldenrod
* ''Solidago simulans'' Fern. : Fall Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago speciosa]]'' Nutt. : Showy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago speciosa'' var. ''erecta'' (Pursh) MacM. : Showy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago speciosa'' var. ''jejunifolia'' (Steele) Cronq. : Showy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago speciosa'' var. ''pallida'' Porter :Showy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago speciosa'' var. ''rigidiuscula'' Torr. & Gray : Showy Goldenrod
** ''Solidago speciosa'' var. ''speciosa'' : Showy Goldenrod
* ''Solidago spectabilis'' (D.C. Eat.) Gray : Nevada Goldenrod
** ''Solidago spectabilis'' var. ''confinis'' (Gray) Cronq. : Nevada Goldenrod
**'' Solidago spectabilis'' var. ''spectabilis'' : Nevada Goldenrod
* ''Solidago spathulata'' : Mountain Goldenrod
* ''Solidago sphacelata'' Raf. : Autumn Goldenrod
* ''Solidago spithamaea'' M.A. Curtis : Blue Ridge Goldenrod
* ''Solidago squarrosa'' Nutt. : Stout Goldenrod, Big Goldenrod
* ''Solidago stricta'' Ait. : Wand Goldenrod
* ''Solidago tortifolia'' Ell. : Twistleaf Goldenrod
* ''Solidago tenuifolia'' : Slender Goldenrod
* ''Solidago uliginosa'' Nutt. : Bog Goldenrod
** ''Solidago uliginosa'' var. ''levipes'' (Fern.) Fern. : Bog Goldenrod
** ''Solidago uliginosa'' var. ''linoides'' (Torr. & Gray) Fern. : Bog Goldenrod
** ''Solidago uliginosa'' var. ''terrae-novae'' (Torr. & Gray) Fern. : Bog Goldenrod
** ''Solidago uliginosa''. var. ''uliginosa'' : Bog Goldenrod
* ''Solidago ulmifolia'' Muhl. ex Willd. : Elmleaf Goldenrod
** ''Solidago ulmifolia'' var. ''microphylla'' Gray : Elmleaf Goldenrod
** ''Solidago ulmifolia'' var. ''palmeri'' Cronq. : Palmer's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago ulmifolia'' var. ''ulmifolia'' : Elmleaf Goldenrod
* ''Solidago velutina'' DC. : Threenerve Goldenrod
** ''[[Solidago velutina subsp. californica]]''
* ''Solidago verna'' M.A. Curtis : Springflowering Goldenrod
* ''[[Solidago virgaurea]]'' : Goldenrod, Aaron’s Rod
* ''Solidago wrightii'' Gray : Wright's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago wrightii'' var. ''adenophora'' Blake : Wright's Goldenrod
** ''Solidago wrightii'' var. ''wrightii'' : Wright's Goldenrod

Natural hybrids:
* [[Solidago Hybrid Cultivars]]
* ''Solidago × asperula'' Desf. (''S. rugosa'' × ''S. sempervirens'')
* ''Solidago × beaudryi'' Boivin (''S. rugosa'' ×  ''S. uliginosa'')
* ''Solidago × erskinei'' Boivin  (''S. canadensis'' × ''S. sempervirens'')
* ''Solidago × ovata'' Friesner (''S. sphacelata'' × ''S. ulmifolia'')
* ''Solidago × ulmicaesia'' Friesner  (''S. caesia'' × ''S. ulmifolia'')

==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Solidago canadensis 20050815 248.jpg|Canadian Goldenrod (''[[Solidago canadensis]]'')
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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