# stiff-leaved goldenrod (*Solidago rigida*) Stiff-leaved goldenrod is a bright yellow flower that grows tall and strong. It blooms in late summer and is loved by butterflies and bees for its sweet nectar. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![stiff-leaved goldenrod](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Solidago_rigida_%284991314459%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solidago_rigida_%284991314459%29.jpg) ## Appearance The stiff-leaved goldenrod is a tall, upright plant featuring rough, oval-shaped leaves that are notably rigid. Its vibrant yellow flowers bloom in distinctive flat-topped clusters, making it visually stand out from other goldenrod species which often have plume-like arrangements. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Solidago ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, Solidago rigida, refers to its rigid leaves and means "to make whole." - Many people mistakenly blame goldenrod for hay fever, but ragweed, blooming at the same time, is the real culprit! - Native American tribes traditionally used stiff-leaved goldenrod for various medicinal purposes, like teas and poultices. - This goldenrod is a crucial late-season food source for migrating monarch butterflies and other pollinators before winter. ## Special abilities - **Drought Master:** Stiff-leaved goldenrod has a deep taproot that helps it find water far underground, allowing it to survive in dry, sunny environments. - **Insect Landing Pad:** Its unique flat-topped flower clusters provide a wide, stable surface, making it easier for many different insects to land and collect nectar. - **Tough as Nails:** Stiff-leaved goldenrod has noticeably rigid, rough leaves which reduce water loss and can deter some hungry herbivores. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.6-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall (August-October) - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen for hive. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Feeds on nectar during migration. - **Pollinates:** [Common eastern bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Important generalist pollinator. - **Eaten by:** Goldenrod leaf beetle (*Trirhabda borealis*) — Larvae and adults feed on leaves. ## 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. - [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. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [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. - [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. ## 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 first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify stiff-leaved 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 stiff-leaved goldenrod? 60-150 cm ### How wide does stiff-leaved goldenrod spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on stiff-leaved goldenrod? 0.6-1 cm ### When does stiff-leaved goldenrod bloom? Late summer to fall (August-October) ### Is stiff-leaved goldenrod edible? Yes ### Is stiff-leaved goldenrod toxic? None ### What is stiff-leaved goldenrod's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Cherry County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherry-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Huffman Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/huffman-prairie) — Ohio, US · Museum - [Illinois Caverns State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-caverns-state-natural-area) — Illinois, US · State Park - [Mount Carroll Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-carroll-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Maheras-Gentry Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maheras-gentry-park) — Michigan, US · Park [View all places to see stiff-leaved goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/stiff-leaved-goldenrod) ## 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: [Stiff-leaved Goldenrod: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stiff-leaved-goldenrod)