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Reveal, James L.

Solidago caesia var. caesia

Solidago caesia L. var. caesia L.

Wreath Goldenrod, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, Bluestem Goldenrod

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SOCAC

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

18 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: 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: Butterflies

Propagation

Description: May be grown from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

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.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-16
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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