Flat-Top Goldentop
Euthamia graminifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © illinoisbotanizer (iNaturalist #181507060)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Euthamia
- Species:
- Euthamia graminifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- EUGR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleophora intermediella, Cucullia florea, Epiblema desertana, Eucosma cataclystiana, Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana), white-dotted groundling (Condica videns)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Atteva aurea, Brown-hooded owlet (Cucullia convexipennis), common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) Butterflies:Atalopedes Scudder, ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; benefits from periodic burning in prairie management.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in wet meadows and along streams
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix the seeds with an equal amount of either perlite or vermiculite. Seal mixture into a Ziploc-style bag or a Rubbermaid-style container, 1-3 months of moist cold stratification (refrigerator or cold garage). Cold store until planted (up to 3 years).
Source: npn.rngr.net