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Manitoba Museum


Aster (Asteraceae)

Rigid Goldenrod

Solidago rigida L.

This plant is visited by at least forty species of insects in late summer and fall. Butterflies, bees and flies all visit the dense flowering heads of this Goldenrod. Since it provides nectar to so many insects, Rigid Goldenrod is one of the most important grassland plants. It receives so many visitors that highly camouflaged ambush bugs hide on the flowers, and capture and eat the plants’ pollinators.

Flower Colour:

  • Yellow

Flowering Season:

  • Summer
  • Fall

Flowering Months:

  • August
  • October
  • September

Canadian Rarity Status:

Not rare.

Physical Appearance:

Rigid goldenrod is a perennial plant with stiff, upright, hairy stems that grow to 150 cm tall. The grey-green, oval shaped leaves are covered in rough hairs, and decrease in size from bottom to top. Flowers are in flat-topped clusters of 9-190 heads. There are 6-14 outer (ray) flowers with yellow petals, and 14-35 tube-shaped inner (disc) flowers. Fruits have many white hairs to aid wind-dispersal.

Similar Species:

Common Tansy (Tanecetum vulgare L.), Flat-top Goldenrod

Gardening Notes:

Seeds and/or plants are often available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Flowers and seeds attract butterflies (including monarchs) and other beneficial pollinators, finches, and other birds.

Canadian Distribution:

  • Alberta
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Saskatchewan

Prairie Types:

  • Fescue Prairie
  • Mixed Grass Prairie
  • Tall Grass Prairie

Habitats:

  • Open Woodlands
  • Prairies
  • Savannahs

Moisture Conditions:

  • Dry
  • Moderate
  • Moist

Light Preference:

  • Full Sun
  • Part Shade

Soil Preference:

  • Loam
  • Sand
Rigid Goldenrod