|
Canada
goldenrod; native perennial; Tall Goldenrod is now included as Solidago
canadensis var. scabra. Tall Goldenrod was formerly
considered to be a separate species (Solidago altissima).
Family: Aster family (Asteraceae).
Flower: Yellow, 9 to 15 flower
rays; 3 mm; flowers occur along the upper part of each flowering
stem; August-October.
Leaves: Toothed; Lance-shaped;
parallel-veined, rough-textured; alternate.
Stem: downy and grayish; several
flowering stems exist at the top of the plant and form a
panicle-bearing mass of tiny yellow flowers.
Height: May reach 2 m.
Habitat: Waste areas, tall grass
prairies, along roadsides and fence lines, dry open fields, and in
open woods or damp meadows that dry out every year; not found on
waterlogged sites and only rarely on very dry sites; shade intolerant
although it occurs in sparsely wooded areas.
Interest: Canada Goldenrod is now
included as Tall Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis var. scabra or Canada
Goldenrod). Canada Goldenrod and Tall Goldenrod were formerly
considered to be separate species (Tall Goldenrod: Solidago
altissima); significant variability in the characteristics of local
species; flowers are attractive to many species of wasps and flies
and it is an important source of nectar for honeybees; several shades
of dye can be produced; inhibits the growth of Maple seedlings, and
possibly other plants, by exuding chemicals through its roots; name "canadensis"
comes from the Latin, "of Canada"; one of the first
species to invade following disturbances or fire.
Return to list |
Location: Burwash
Date: August 30, 2002 |
|
Canada goldenrod leaves. Note the
leaves are triple-veined and not strongly toothed.
Location: Burwash
Date: August 30, 2002
Return to list |
Toothed leaves of Canada goldenrod.
Location: Sudbury
Date: August 31, 2002
Return to list |
|
Canada golden plant
Location: Burwash
Date: August 31, 2002.
Return to list |
Field of Canada goldenrod.
Location: Kelly
Lake Road, Fielding Park, Sudbury
Date: November 13, 2006.
Return to list |
|
 |
Gray
goldenrod; also known as Gray-stemmed Goldenrod, Dyer's-weed
Goldenrod, Old-field Goldenrod; native perennial.
Family: Aster family (Asteraceae).
Flower: Yellow; slender,
one-sided plumes of flowers (secund); 5-11 rays; flower spikes are
about 9 - 15 cm long; groups of flower heads form crescent-shaped
clusters along the spikes; July-October.
Leaves: Tiny leaflets in the leaf
axils where leaves join the stem; basal leaves are long, tapered, and
up to 15 cm long; upper leaves become smaller upward and may be only
a 1.5 cm long near the flowering spikes.
Stem: Grayish or reddish colour;
covered with fine gray hairs; singly or in groups of six or
occasionally more.
Height: 12-50 cm.
Habitat: Sunny, dry sandy or
gravelly prairie, old pasture, roadsides, and dry open woods.
Interest: The curved form of the
Gray Goldenrod is distinctive.
Location: Burwash
Date: August 30, 2002
Return to list |
|
Early
goldenrod; native perennial.
Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
Flower: Yellow; plume-like or may
assume an elm-like shape; 7 to 12 rays; flowering branches diverge
and are curved downward (recurved); flowering top is broad and shaped
like an elm-tree; flower heads occur along the top of the branch
(second); July-September.
Leaves: Distinctive wing-like
leaflets in axils of slim toothless upper leaves; lower stem leaves
are large, broad, toothed and tapered into the stalk; alternate; up
to 16 cm long and 3 cm across; stem leaves become smaller higher up
the stem; lanceolate with margins that are smooth or slightly
serrated; stem leaves are attached directly to the stem without leaf stalk.
Stem: Smooth stem; slightly
ridged, hairless, and green or reddish in colour; single or several
and branching.
Height: 20-100 cm.
Habitat: Open, dry soils,
prairies, sunny waste areas, abandoned fields, edges of wooded areas
and open woods, and disturbed areas. Will grow in moist soil that is
well drained.
Interest: This species is one of
the earliest goldenrods to flower - early July in the Sudbury area.
Distinctive identification features include the second flower heads,
the near or complete absence of hair on the stems and leaves, and the
wing-like leaflets that occur in axils of the upper leaves. The
flowers attract many types of insects, including bees, wasps, flies,
butterflies, moths, and beetles.
Location: Burwash
Date: July 12, 2001
Return to list |
Distinctive wing-like leaflets in
axils of slim toothless upper leaves.
Location: Burwash
Date: July 12, 2001 |
