Table of Contents for Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea)
Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the mid-western and eastern United States. This species is a host to the baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) and several moths. Growing from 1 foot to 4 feet tall, this species grows in open areas such as fields and disturbed areas. The yellow flowers bloom from July to October and the plant is hardy in zones 3-8.
Taxonomy and Naming of Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea)
Taxonomy
Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) was originally named and described by William Aiton, a Scottish botanist, in 1789. 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, juncea, is Latin for rush-like.
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the early blooming time of the flowers. In Canada (Quebec) this species is known as Verge d’or junciforme (Gillett 1991).
Physical Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a herbaceous perennial.
- Height: 1 ft (0.3 m) to 5 ft (1.5 m)
- Stem: The stems are erect, ridged, and glabrous (Flora of North America)
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, with basal rosettes and cauline leaves, oblanceolate to ovate, petioles are winged, and serrate margins. They are 4 in (10 cm) to 12 in (30 cm) long and 0.5 in (2 cm) to 2.75 in (7 cm) wide. The upper cauline leaves are sessile and linear-lanceolate in shape.
- Flower color: yellow
- Blooming period: This plant blooms from July to October.
- Fruiting type and period: This plant has achenes that mature in the late fall and winter.
Range of Early Goldenrod in the United States and Canada
This goldenrod species is native to the mid-western and eastern United States and Canada. It is considered to be rare in the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma and the province of Manitoba.
Habitat
This species grows in open areas such as fields and disturbed areas (Flora of North America), swamps and pastures (Addisonia 1917), dry open places (Day and Catling 1991), flatwoods and dry sandstone woodlands (Nelson 2022), pine woods (Holzinger 1896), roadsides (Herriott 1910), and places that have been burned by fire (Cooper 1914).
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 the Goldenrod root-gall fly (Eurosta comma) (Phillips 1946).
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. The yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) (Colla and Dumesh 2010) uses this species for nectar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database shows that this species has been used for stomach ailments, diarrhea, and liver problems.
How is this plant distinguished from other Goldenrods?
The wrinkle-leaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) is similar to this species but wrinkle-leaf goldenrod has pubescent stems whereas this species does not (Gillett 1991).
Is this plant invasive?
This has not been noted as being weedy.
Gardening with Early Goldenrod
Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 3-8. 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 enjoys full sun to part-shade in moist to dry well-drained soils.
References
- Addisonia. 1917. Addisonia: colored illustrations and popular descriptions of the plants. (New York: New York Botanical Garden).
- Colla, S.R. and S. Dumesh. 2010. The Bumble Bees of Southern Ontario: Notes on Natural History and Distribution. Journal of the Entomological Society of Ontario 141: 39-50.
- Cooper, William S. 1914. A Catalogue of the Flora of Isle Royale, Lake Superior. 16: 109-131.
- Day, Robin and Paul M. Catling. 1991. The Rare Vascular Plants of Prince Edward Island. Syllogeus No. 67.
- Gillett, John. 1991. Goldenrods. Trail & Landscape 25: 114-121.
- Herriott, W. 1910. The Compositae of Galt, Ontatio and Vicinity. The Ontario Natural Science Bulletin 6: 55-64.
- Holzinger, J.M. 1896. Determinations of Plants Collected by Dr. J.H. Sandberg, In Northern Minnesota, During 1891. Minnesota Botanical Studies 1: 517-574.
- Nelson, P.W. 2022. Flora and natural communities of Bryant Creek State Park, Douglas County, Missouri. Missouriensis 40: 27-177
- Phillips, Venia Tarris. 1946. The Biology and Identification of Trypetid Larvae (Diptera: Trypetidae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Society No. 12.
