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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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: YellowBloom 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 , WVCanada: ON , QC
Native Habitat: Rich, deciduous or open woods; wood borders; clearings
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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 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: 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 |
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. WasowskiBibref 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 PlantsFNA: Find Solidago caesia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Solidago caesia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-16Research By: TWC Staff