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Solidago californica
Solidago californica Nutt.
California Goldenrod, Northern California Goldenrod
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SOCA5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A 1-5 ft. perennial from creeping rhizomes with fuzzy-gray leaves and stems. The flowering stalks are wand-like with showy clusters of small, yellow flowers.
California Goldenrod is a member of the aster family (family Asteraceae) which includes herbs, sometimes shrubs or vines, rarely trees, with simple or compound, alternate or opposite leaves. Flowers small, but organized into larger heads resembling a single, radially symmetrical flower cupped by a ring of green bracts. In this large, worldwide family there are about 920 genera and 19,000 species. Cosmos, Sunflower, Zinnia, Dahlia, and many others are grown as ornamentals; Lettuce, Sunflowers, and Artichokes provide food. Safflower oil is obtained from this family. Ragweed pollen causes hay fever.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: CA , ORNative Distribution: S.w. OR, mostly w. of the Sierras to s. CA, extending e. into NV
Native Habitat: Dry to moist fields & clearings
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Dry to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Spreads by rhizomes but is easily controlled.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by division or seeds.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Solidago californica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Solidago californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Solidago californica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-16Research By: TWC Staff