Velvety Goldenrod Solidago velutina Aster family (Asteraceae)
Velvety Goldenrod is one of several Solidago species found in the region; there are about 80 species in North America. Goldenrods are often blamed for allergies but generally their pollen is too heavy to be readily wind-borne and it is other plants pollinating at the same time which people are allergic to.
"Solidago" is from the Latin "solidus" meaning "whole" or "solid," referring to the plant's supposed ability to heal. Linnaeus named this in 1753. "Goldenrod" is a common name applied to all Solidagos.
Hairy unbranched , 10-60" tall, with showy yellow flowerheads in pyramids, cones, or cylinders, often arching and borne on just one side of the flower stem. Flowerheads contain 9-17 yellow with yellow disks. , narrow, sparingly hairy. Margins or less commonly . Leaves long and narrow, enlarged at either end or in middle, up to 4" long, gradually reduced in size as they ascend the stem. Young leaves are 3- ( and 2 parallel veins are prominent). Flowers replaced with showy cluster of seeds tipped with tuft of white hairs ( hairs).
