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Late goldenrod is a common native goldenrod across much of the US, often growing in big patches in old fields and along roadsides, with tall cone-shaped clusters of yellow flowers from August to October. About 16 insect species are known to form galls or mines on it, including the goldenrod gall fly, whose round swellings on the stems are easy to spot. It is also called tall goldenrod.

Appearance

Growth form
A perennial wildflower with stiff upright stems, usually 3–6½ ft (1–2 m) tall and sometimes up to about 8 ft (2.5 m), that spreads by underground stems () into large patches.
Leaves
Alternate leaves 2–6 in (5–15 cm) long, thick and firm, with three prominent veins. The top is rough, and the underside is softly hairy. There is no rosette of leaves at the base.
Flowers
Tiny yellow flower heads crowd into a large cone-shaped cluster at the top; one plant can have up to 1,500 heads. It is insect-pollinated and needs pollen from another plant to set seed.
Flowering time
August to October
Fruit
Small dry seeds topped with white bristles that the wind carries away.

Look-alikes

Canada goldenrodSolidago canadensis

Canada goldenrod's leaves are thinner, less hairy, and toothed almost to the base, while late goldenrod has thicker leaves toothed only on the upper half and a stem hairy all the way down. The surest clue is the length of the tiny under each flower head, which needs a close-up look.

Why they get mixed upThey are close relatives in the same group, with similar plumes of yellow flowers.

giant goldenrodSolidago gigantea

Giant goldenrod's stem is smooth and often waxy below the flower cluster, and its leaves are mostly hairless. Its stem galls are smooth, while those on late goldenrod are hairy.

Why they get mixed upBoth are tall, late-summer goldenrods that grow in the same open places.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • old fields
  • meadows and prairies
  • roadsides and railroad edges
  • woodland edges
Range
Native across much of the US and Canada and into northern Mexico. It has spread outside its native range to places such as Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan.
Preferred conditions
Full sun and dry to average soil. It handles drier ground better than Canada goldenrod and does well on land disturbed by people.
Flowering

Flowers Aug–Oct

Flowers Aug–Oct

Growing it

Propagation
Spreads by rhizomes and by seed.

Connected species

Ties with other wildlife
About 16 insect species form galls or mines on it, including the goldenrod gall fly, whose larva overwinters inside a round stem gall.
Parasites
  • goldenrod gall flyEurosta solidaginis

    Its larva lives inside a round gall on the stem. A few plants temporarily bow their tops while the fly lays eggs, and bowing plants seem less likely to get galls.

  • goldenrod bunch gall midgeRhopalomyia solidaginis

    Another gall maker on this goldenrod; the bowing behavior also happens while it lays eggs.

Name and classification

About the name
It belongs to the Canada goldenrod group, and some botanists treat it as a variety of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).

Conservation

IUCN Red List
NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories
  • The leaves and flowers make a natural dye, giving colors from bright yellow to deep olive green.

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Late Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo