Canada Goldenrod
Solidago altissima
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Becky (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- Solidago altissima
- USDA Symbol:
- SOAL6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct,nov
- 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
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrocercops sp. n., blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), Brown-hooded owlet (Cucullia convexipennis), Bucculatrix magnella, Cremastobombycia solidaginis, Dejongia , Dichomeris ochripalpella, Gnorimoschema sp. B, Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina), Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana), goldenrod gall moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), Hellinsia homodactylus, Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), Phaneta ochroterminana, Scrobipalpa sp. B, triangle-backed eucosma (Eucosma dorsisignatana), Trichoptilus lobidactylus, Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Astrotischeria solidagonifoliella, Atteva aurea, Brown-hooded owlet (Cucullia convexipennis), goldenrod gall moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; common component of fire-maintained prairies and old fields.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas and meadows
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. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI