# European goldenrod (*Solidago virgaurea*)

The European goldenrod is a bright yellow flower that blooms in late summer and fall. It grows tall and can be found in fields and along roadsides, making them a cheerful sight in nature.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![European goldenrod](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/S._virgaurea2015-10-10.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Victor M. Vicente Selvas, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S._virgaurea2015-10-10.jpg)

## Appearance

The European goldenrod has tall, slender stems topped with dense, pyramid-shaped clusters of bright yellow flowers. Its leaves are typically narrow and lance-shaped. It stands out with its vibrant, sunny color, especially in late summer fields.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Solidago

## Interesting facts

- It was once brewed into a special tea for soldiers during the American Revolution!
- Its scientific name, Solidago, means "to make whole" from its healing history!
- People once thought it caused allergies, but ragweed is the real culprit!
- You can use its sunny flowers to make a bright yellow natural dye!

## Special abilities

- **Habitat Hopper:** European goldenrod can thrive in diverse habitats, from woodlands to open fields, by adjusting its growth to different light and soil conditions.
- **Nectar Beacon:** European goldenrod has nectar-rich flowers that attract many insects, helping it reproduce effectively by ensuring successful pollination.
- **Wind Sailor Seeds:** European goldenrod produces tiny seeds with feathery tufts, allowing them to float on the wind and spread to new areas.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-120 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer, Fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** [Painted lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — sips nectar from its blooms
- **Eats:** Goldenrod beetle (*Galerucella tenella*) — feeds on its leaves and flowers
- **Depends on:** [Eurasian siskin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-siskin) (*Spinus spinus*) — eats seeds from dried plants

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify European goldenrod?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is European goldenrod?

30-120 cm

### How wide does European goldenrod spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on European goldenrod?

0.5-1 cm

### When does European goldenrod bloom?

Summer, Fall

### Is European goldenrod edible?

Yes

### Is European goldenrod toxic?

None

### What is European goldenrod's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Sierra Nevada National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-nevada-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [European goldenrod: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-goldenrod)