Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod Solidago rugosa qt

Solidago rugosa, commonly called rough goldenrod, rough-stemmed goldenrod or wrinkle-leaved goldenrod, features panicles of showy yellow flowers in late summer to fall (August to October). Flowers bloom at the ends of rough, hairy, often unbranched stems clad with hairy, ovate to lanceolate, medium to dark green leaves (to 4" long) with crenate to sharply serrate margins and broad-margined stalks. Deep pinnate veins give the leaves a rough and wrinkled appearance. The central stem is erect and densely hairy, typically rising to 3-5' tall. This goldenrod is native from NewFoundland to Ontario and Michigan south to Missouri, Texas and Georgia. In Missouri, it is found in the southeast corner of the State in wet ground of swales, swampy meadows, and thickets, along spring branches and streams, swampy woodland, wet places in prairies but sometimes on dry sandy knolls and ledges (Steyermark). Goldenrods are attractive to bees and butterflies. Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed.