Table of Contents for Alabama Goldenrod (Solidago arenicola)
Alabama Goldenrod (Solidago arenicola) is a herbaceous perennial that is native in the states of Alabama and Tennessee. This species is a host to the baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) and several moths. Growing from 1.5 feet to 4 feet tall, this species grows in mesic woods. The yellow flowers bloom from August to October and the plant is hardy in zones 7-8.
Taxonomy and Naming of Alabama Goldenrod (Solidago arenicola)
Taxonomy
Alabama Goldenrod (Solidago arenicola) was originally named and described by Brian Keener and Robert Kral, both American botanists in 2003. It has kept this same name since and is a member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae).
Meaning of the Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Solidago, derives from the Latin words, Solidus and ago, which together mean to make (ago) whole (Solidus). This meaning comes from the medicinal uses of the plant. The species name, arenicola, is a Latin for sand (areni) and inhabitant (cola).
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the native location of the species.
Physical Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a herbaceous perennial.
- Height: 1 ft (0.3 m) to 4 ft (1.2 m)
- Stem: The stems are erect, and glabrous to sparsely pubsecent (Flora of North America). The plant is rhizomatous (Keener and Kral 2002).
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, with basal and cauline leaves, spathulate to oblanceolate, and serrate margins. They are 4 in (10 cm) to 6 in (15 cm) long and 0.6 in (1.5 cm) to 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide (Flora of North America)
- Flower color: yellow
- Blooming period: This plant blooms from August to October.
- Fruiting type and period: This plant has achenes that mature in the late fall and winter.
Range of Alabama Goldenrod in the United States and Canada
This goldenrod species is native and rare in the states of Alabama and Tennessee.
Habitat
This species grows in sandy mesic woods (Flora of North America), rivershores (Floden 2012).
Hosted Insects
This goldenrod, like a lot of other goldenrods, is a host to the wavy-lined emerald (Synchlora aerata). The genus in general is a host to the Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) and black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes).
Other Supported Wildlife
This species is a nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, and wasps during the growing season. It is especially important since it provides a nectar source in the late season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database does not show this species, but Solidago in general has been used for colds, pain, heart medicine, and for stomach ailments.
How is this plant distinguished from other Goldenrods?
This goldenrod is considered to be most similar to the slender goldenrod (Solidago erecta), but differs from it in that the slender goldenrod has > 40 flower heads per stem and the Alabama goldenrod has < 30 heads per stem (Keener and Kral 2002).
Is this plant invasive?
This species has not been noted as being weedy.
Gardening with Alabama Goldenrod
Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 7-8. If your garden is within these zones and you have the right growing conditions (soil, moisture and exposure), you may well be able to grow this plant. However, if planted outside of its range, the hosted species may not recognize the plant or be harmed by ingesting a different species with an unfamiliar chemical composition.
Optimal Conditions
This species requires full sun and dry to occassional wet well-drained soils.
References
- Floden, Aaron. 2012. Notes on Two Rare Solidago (Asteraceae) in Tennessee: S. arenicola and S. simplex. Phytoneuron 2012-63: 1-4.
- Keener, Brian R. and Robert Kral. 2002. A New Species of Solidago (Asteraceae: Astereae) from North Central Alabama. Sida 20(4): 1589-1593.
