Ontario Wildflowers website

Houghton's Goldenrod
Solidago houghtonii

Other scientific names: Oligoneuron houghtonii

French names: Verge d'or Houghton

Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Group: Goldenrods

Distinctive features: Closely resembles Bog Goldenrod and Ohio Goldenrod - almost a cross between these two species. But mostly looks like an Ohio Goldenrod with large flowers. Only occurs at a few sites in Ontario.

Similar species:
  •   Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis) - has smaller flowers, and fewer flowers; much more common.

  •   Bog Goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) - leaves are somewhat clasping the stem.


Flowers: Summer, Autumn;  Yellow;  Indistinguishable parts (petals);  Large for a Goldenrod, yellow.

Leaves: Clasping stem.

Height: Up to 1 m (3 ft)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Wet Areas;  wet fields.

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Very rare in Ontario - occurs only at a few sites on the Bruce Peninsula & Manitoulin Island.

Photographs: 131 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

Houghton's Goldenrod is extremely rare in Ontario, being found mainly in only one place (a very small area of the Bruce Peninsula). In fact, it very rare outside of Ontario as well. This Goldenrod closely resembles Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis).

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

These pictures of its flowers were taken in mid-August.

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

A closer view of the flowers.

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

Unopened flower buds.

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

It has fairly narrow and small leaves, that are held upright and relatively close to the stem, very similar to Bog Goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa). However, the flower inflorescence resembles that of Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis).

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

Typical shape and form.

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

Close-up of the upright leaves, held close to the stem. Again, note the resemblance to Bog Goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa).

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

A number of the plants, in a boggy area on the Bruce Peninsula.

Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

Close-up of the flowers, with a grateful insect visitor.


Range map for Houghton's Goldenrod (Solidago houghtonii)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)