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Bloodworth, Stefan

Solidago caesia

Solidago caesia L.

Wreath Goldenrod, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, Bluestem Goldenrod

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Solidago axillaris, Solidago caesia var. axillaris, Solidago caesia var. caesia

USDA Symbol: SOCA4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The slender, purplish, branched or unbranched stems of this shade-tolerant goldenrod rise 1-3 ft. Smooth purplish, frequently arching stem covered with whitish bloom and bearing scattered clusters of yellow flower heads in the leaf axils, with a large terminal cluster. Small, graceful, arching sprays of tiny, yellow flowers top the perennial.

Other goldenrods with scattered flower clusters include the Wand-like Goldenrod (S. stricta), found in sandy sites from New Jersey southward, with a wand-like flowerstalk and narrow scale-like leaves pressed against the stem. Zigzag Goldenrod (S. flexicaulis) has a zigzag stem and broad ovate leaves. Downy Goldenrod (S. puberula), found in dry sites along the East Coast, has a very leafy stem covered with fine, spreading hairs.

From the Image Gallery

22 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON , QC
Native Habitat: Rich, deciduous or open woods; wood borders; clearings

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Various soils.
Conditions Comments: This is a relatively small goldenrod and is not aggressive.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Blue-stemmed goldenrod attracts butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special 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: May be grown from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU			FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City - Jefferson City, TN
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 caesia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Solidago caesia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Solidago caesia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-16
Research By: TWC Staff

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