Zigzag Goldenrod
(Solidago flexicaulis)

Other common names: Broad-leaved Goldenrod

Family: Aster Family (Asteraceae), Composite Family (Compositae)

Group: Goldenrods

Distinctive features: Grows in woods. Zigzag stem. Broad, prominently toothed leaves.

Similar species:
  •   Sharp-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago arguta)

  •   Stout Goldenrod (Solidago squarrosa)

  •   Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) - not really very similar, but shares the same habitat.


Flowers: Summer, Fall;  Yellow;  Indistinguishable parts (petals);  Yellow. Late summer & fall.

Leaves: Broad, prominently toothed.

Height: Up to 1 m (1-3 ft)

Stem: Zigzag.

Habitat: Woods.

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 450    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 196    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 183   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Very common

See Also:
  •   Goldenrod & Ragweed, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney
  •   Goldenrod, Ragweed and Mugwort, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney


Photographs: 143 photographs available, of which 17 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

  

Typical Zigzag Goldenrod plant.This plant grows in shaded woods - they like more shade than Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia).

They tend to grow in small stands in the woods. Most of the flowers grow near the top of the main stem. They sometimes form a round clump at the top, but usually they are spread along the upper part of the stem.

Closeup view of the stem and some flowers

Flowers. This plants flowers in the late summer and fall.

Closeup of a flower.

Photo showing the "zigzag" stem.

Showing the zigzag stem again.

Young plant in the spring (mid May).

After a spring rain.

Typical leaf

The upper stem leaves are much smaller, as is often the case with Goldenrods.

Upper side of a leaf.

Underside of a leaf.

Seeds in the fall (late October)

What's left of the plant in the winter (late December)
  

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