# northern green-and-gold (*Chrysogonum virginianum*) The northern green-and-gold is a bright yellow flower that blooms in spring. It loves to grow in shady places and can often be found in gardens and forests. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![northern green-and-gold](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Green_and_Gold_Chrysogonum_virginianum_Flower_3008.jpg&width=800) Photo: Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green_and_Gold_Chrysogonum_virginianum_Flower_3008.jpg) ## Appearance The northern green-and-gold is a low-growing plant with vibrant yellow, star-shaped flowers, often featuring five petals. Its deep green leaves are oval to heart-shaped, forming a dense carpet. The bright blooms stand out against the foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Chrysogonum ## Interesting facts - Even though it loves the shade, it produces more flowers when it gets some morning sun! - It's sometimes called a "golden star" because of its five-petaled, star-like flowers. - Its bright blooms can create a golden "carpet" effect on the forest floor. - The scientific name, Chrysogonum, means "golden-born" or "golden knee" in Greek. ## Special abilities - **Shade Lover:** northern green-and-gold has a strong tolerance for partial shade, allowing it to thrive where many sun-loving plants struggle. - **Pollinator Beacon:** northern green-and-gold produces bright yellow flowers that act as a strong visual signal to attract busy bees and butterflies. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer, sometimes fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [common eastern bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers for nectar. - **Pollinates:** [eastern tiger swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio glaucus*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding pollination. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [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. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify northern green-and-gold? 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 northern green-and-gold? 15-30 cm ### How wide does northern green-and-gold spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on northern green-and-gold? 1-2 cm ### When does northern green-and-gold bloom? Spring to early summer, sometimes fall ### Is northern green-and-gold edible? No ### Is northern green-and-gold toxic? None ### What is northern green-and-gold's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Eno River State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eno-river-state-park) — North Carolina, US · State Park - [Roanoke City Market Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roanoke-city-market-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [South Fountain Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-fountain-avenue-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Stanley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stanley-park) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see northern green-and-gold](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-green-and-gold) ## 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*) --- Source: [Northern Green-and-gold: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-green-and-gold)