Family: Asteraceae
Author: Aiton
Bibliography: Hort. Kew. 3: 211 (1789)
Year: 1789
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Solidago
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canada to NE. Mexico
Description
Early goldenrod, scientifically named Solidago gigantea, is a striking perennial plant known for its vibrant yellow flower clusters that brighten up late summer landscapes. First documented in “Hortus Kewensis” in 1789 by William Aiton, this species holds a prestigious position within the Asteraceae family, renowned for its broad array of flowering plants.
Native to regions stretching from Canada down to northeastern Mexico, early goldenrod thrives in diverse environments, including meadows, prairies, and along roadsides. Its natural range highlights its adaptability and resilience across various climates and soil types.
The plant’s robust stature, often reaching heights of up to five feet, and its lance-shaped leaves create a dense, attractive foliage that supports its dense, golden inflorescences. These flower heads not only add a splash of color to the landscape but also play a critical role in the ecosystem. They are particularly important for local pollinators, including bees and butterflies, that rely on the nectar and pollen as late-season food sources.
Early goldenrod’s blooming period typically spans from late summer into early autumn, ensuring that gardens and natural areas remain colorful even as other plants begin to fade. Its ability to propagate through both seeds and rhizomes also makes it an excellent choice for naturalized areas and restoration projects, contributing to soil stabilization and habitat diversity.
Despite its beauty and ecological significance, early goldenrod sometimes faces challenges due to its potential to spread aggressively in certain conditions. Land managers and gardeners should be mindful of its growth habits to prevent it from overshadowing less vigorous native plants.
In conclusion, Solidago gigantea, or early goldenrod, is a remarkable plant species with a rich historical background, significant ecological roles, and notable adaptability. Its bright yellow blooms are not just a visual delight but also a lifeline for pollinators as summer wanes, underscoring its value in both natural and cultivated settings.
Common Names
Eng: early goldenrod, giant goldenrod, smooth goldenrod, tall goldenrod, tall or giant or smooth goldenrod
Swe: guldlysing, rödmire, sandviva, trådviva, höstgullris
Nld: late guldenroede
Pol: nawłoć późna
Nor: nonsblom, ugrasnøkkel
Fin: puna-alpi
Deu: riesen-goldrute, spaetbluehende goldrute, spätblühende goldrute, späte goldrute
Dan: rød arve, sildig gyldenris
Fra: solidage glabre, solidage géant, solidage verge d’or, verge d’or géante
Ita: verga d’oro maggiore
Lit: vėlyvoji rykštenė
Hun: magas aranyvessző
Lav: milzu zeltgalvīte
Est: sügis-kuldvits
Ces: zlatobýl obrovský
Cym: eurwiail cynnar, eurwialen gynnar
En: Early goldenrod, Smooth goldenrod, Tall goldenrod, Giant goldenrod, Late goldenrod, Tall or giant or smooth goldenrod
Bg: Гигантска златна пръчка
Cs: Zlatobýl obrovský
Da: Rød Arve, Sildig gyldenris
Nl: Late guldenroede
Et: Sügis-kuldvits
Fi: Isopiisku, Puna-alpi
Fr: Verge d’or géante, Solidage géant, Solidage tardif, Solidage glabre, Solidage verge d’or, Tête d’or
De: Späte Goldrute, Riesen-Goldrute, Spaetbluehende Goldrute, Spätblühende Goldrute
Hu: Magas aranyvessző
It: Verga d’oro maggiore, Verga d’oro maggiore
Ko: 미국미역취
Lv: Milzu zeltgalvīte
Lt: Vėlyvoji rykštenė
Gv: Bossan mollagh
No: Kjempegullris, Nonsblom, Ugrasnøkkel
Pl: Nawłoć późna
Sr: Golema zlatica
Sk: Zlatobyľ obrovská
Sv: Höstgullris, Guldlysing, Rödmire, Sandviva, Trådviva
Cy: Eurwialen gynnar, Eurwiail Cynnar
Synonyms
- Solidago glabra (Desf.)
- Solidago fragrans (A.Gray)
- Solidago serotina (Aiton)
- Solidago deflexa (Moench)
- Doria dumerorum ((Lunell) Lunell)
- Doria pitcheri ((Nutt.) Lunell)
- Solidago gigantea var. leiophylla (Fernald)
- Solidago gigantea var. serotina ((Kuntze) Cronquist)
- Solidago pitcheri (Nutt.)
- Solidago serotina var. dumertorum ((Aiton) A.Gray)
- Solidago serotina var. gigantea ((Aiton) A.Gray)
- Solidago sera (J.F.Gmel.)
- Solidago shinnersii ((Beaudry) Beaudry)
- Solidago dumetorum (Lunell)
- Solidago gigantea var. shinnersii (Beaudry)
- Solidago somesii (Rydb.)
- Solidago gigantea var. pitcheri ((Nutt.) Shinners)
- Solidago serotinoides (Á.Löve & D.Löve)
- Solidago serotina f. huntingdonensis (Beaudry)
- Solidago serotina var. minor (Hook.)
- Aster latissimifolius var. serotinus (Kuntze)
- Solidago gigantea subsp. serotina ((Kuntze) McNeill)
- Solidago cleliae (DC.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Austria (introduced)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Belarus (introduced)
- Belgium (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Finland (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Krym (introduced)
- Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- North Caucasus (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Yugoslavia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Espuelas Leticia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2017 by louis besson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2017 by Alphons Genoud (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 2, 2019 by sammie jassy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2022 by mehua sara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2017 by louis besson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 17, 2022 by As Nodt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2021 by Frozy <3 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2021 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Manū (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2021 by cris abraham (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 20, 2019 by zmei (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Parobek Kamil (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Juliette Martin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Dávid Pénzes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Paul Hubert BOURSEAU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2009 by Tela Botanica − George FOWLER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:249575-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5389017)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Solidago gigantea Aiton)
Specifications
Growth form: Bunch
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 4.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Soil nutriments: 7