Stiff Goldenrod

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oligoneuron rigidum (Solidago rigida)

COMMON NAMES: Stiff Goldenrod, Rigid Goldenrod, Prairie Goldenrod, Hard-leaf Goldenrod

BLOOM TIME: Aug, Sept, Oct

PLANT PROFILE:

1. Prairie loving, coarse, hairy plant up to 5 ft. tall, with gray green cast.
2. Large basal leaves on long stalks up to 10 in. long & 5 in. wide.
3. Leaves have a rough, leathery texture.
4. Flower heads are flat topped densely packed yellow clusters .
5. Native Americans treated bee stings with lotion made from flowers.
6. Leaf tea was used to treat swollen throats.
7. Goldenrods falsely accused of causing hay fever.

INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:

• Flowers attract many kinds of insects.
• Monarch butterflies are especially attracted to the flowers.
• Many mammalian herbivores eat this plant, particularly during the early stages of growth & development