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Ashy goldenrod

Also known as: soft goldenrod

Solidago mollis Bartl.

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Ashy goldenrod
Ashy goldenrod
Ashy goldenrod
Ashy goldenrod

Morphology

Stem
Ascending to erect, grayish green, densely strigulose to puberulent.
Leaves
Basal and proximal often withering early; petiole present; blades ovate to elliptic or lanceolate, 1.8 to 4 inches long, .4 to 1.6 inch wide, base gradually tapered, margins serrate, tip acute, surfaces scabrous to strigulose; middle and distal cauline blades ovate to elliptic or lanceolate, .4 to 2.4 inches long, .16 to .8 inch wide, sometimes greatly reduced distally.
Inflorescence
Heads, radiate, 50-300 in pyramidal or club-shaped panicle-like arrays, tip seldom nodding. Peduncles .04 to .12 inch. Involucres campanulate, .12 to .24 inch. Phyllaries in 3-4 series, lanceolate to oblong, apex obtuse to acute.
Flower
Ray florets 6-10; ligule .04 to .08 inch. Disk florets 3-8; corolla .1 to .15 inch.
Fruit
Achenes tan to brown, obconic to cylindric, .06 to .08 inch, strigulose; pappus of outer scales and 24-45 inner white barbellate bristles in 3 series, .08 to .12 inch.

Ecology

Habitat
Sandy to gravelly mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies.
Distribution
West 2/3 of Kansas.

Additional Notes

Comments

The shape of the inflorescence can be highly variable. Solidago, whole or sound, alluding to its reputed medicinal value; mollis, soft or velvety.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
Life Span
Perennial
Height
4-24 inches
Last Updated
2014-12-07
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: August, September, October