Table of Contents for Curtis’ Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii)
Curtis’ Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the eastern United States. This species is a host to the baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) and several moths. Growing from 0.5 feet to 3.5 feet tall, this species grows in wooded areas that are shaded. The yellow flowers bloom from August to October and the plant is hardy in zones 4-8.
Taxonomy and Naming of Curtis’ Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii)
Taxonomy
Curtis’ Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii) was originally named and described by John Torrey and Asa Gray, both American botanists, in 1842. 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, curtisii, is in honor of Rev. Moses Ashley Curtis, a minister and botanist from Massachusetts (Longhurst 2018).
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the species name of the plant.
Physical Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a herbaceous perennial.
- Height: 0.5 ft (0.2 m) to 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
- Stem: The stems are erect, glabrous or hirtello-strigose (Flora of North America).
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, basal (wither with age) and cauline, lanceolate to elliptic to oblong, sub-sessile to sessile, and entire to barely serrate margins. They are 1.4 in (3.6 cm) to 7 in (18 cm) long and 0.4 in (1 cm) to 2.4 in (6 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 Curtis’ Goldenrod in the United States and Canada
This goldenrod species is native to the eastern United States. It is considered to be rare in the states of Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
Habitat
This species grows in shaded woods and thickets (Flora of North America), high mountain forests in North Carolina (Poindexter 2013), and mountain woods (Britton and Brown 1913).
Hosted Insects
This goldenrod, like a lot of other goldenrods, is a host to wavy-lined emerald (Synchlora aerata). The genus in general is a host to the Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) and black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). This species also hosts leaf beetles (Futuyma 1990) and Andrena bees.
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 describe this species specifically, but the genus in general has been used as a nasal and stomach remedy.
How is this plant distinguished from other Goldenrods?
This goldenrod is most similar to the wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia), but differs in that Curtis’ goldenrod has a round stem and a glabrous stem, while this species has a square shaped stem (Taylor and Taylor 1983). The stem of the wreath goldenrod is also glaucous (Weakley, et al 2022).
Is this plant invasive?
This has not been noted as being weedy.
Gardening with Wreath Goldenrod
Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 4-8. 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 can grow in part-shade to shade in dry to medium well-drained soils.
References
- Britton, Nathaniel Lord and Addison Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British possessions, from Newfoundland to the parallel of the southern boundary of Virginia, and from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the 102d meridian. (New York: Scribner’s Sons).
- Longhurst, Penny. 2018. What’s in a Name – Curtisii (or Curtissii). Shortia 39: 5-8.
- Poindexter, Derick B. 2013. Vascular Flora and Plant Communities of Alleghany County, North Carolina. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 7(1): 529-574.
- Taylor, Constance E. and R. John Taylor. 1983. New Species, New Combinations and Notes on the Goldenrods (Euthamia and Solidago – Asteraceae). Sida 10(2): 176-183.
- Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2022. Flora of the Southeastern United States. University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden.
