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Cressler, Alan

Solidago bicolor

Solidago bicolor L.

White Goldenrod, Silverrod

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SOBI

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

An elongated spike of short-stalked flower heads with white to yellowish-white rays surrounding a yellow central disc atop a hairy, grayish stem.

This is the only Solidago with white rays in the East. Hairy Goldenrod (S. hispida) has yellow rays; it is found from New England south to Georgia, west to Arkansas, and north to Illinois and Minnesota.

From the Image Gallery

33 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 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: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia, west to Louisiana, and north to Illinois and Wisconsin.
Native Habitat: Thin woods and clearings.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy

Benefit

Warning: The leaves and berries of this plant contain the poisonous alkaloid solanine; although the toxic quality of the berries seems to disappear with ripening, it is best not to eat them. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condi
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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.

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

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

Metadata

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

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