Table of Contents for Elm-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia)
Elm-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the eastern United States and Canada. 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 dry woods. The yellow flowers bloom from July to October and the plant is hardy in zones 3-8.
Taxonomy and Naming of Elm-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia)
Taxonomy
Elm-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia) was originally named and described by Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg, but the name was invalidly published. Later, Carl Ludwig Willdenow, validly published the name, in 1803. It has kept this same name since and is a member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae).
Varieties
This species has two varieties:
- Solidago ulmifolia var. palmeri: stems with hirsute pubescence
- Solidago ulmifolia var. ulmifolia: stems glabrous
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, ulmifolia, is a Latin for elm-leaf, however the leaves do resemble an elm (Meehan and Prang 1878).
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the shape of the leaves.
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 (lower) and hairy above (Flora of North America).
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, with basal and cauline leaves, ovate-lanceolate, with upper leaves cauline leaves subsessile to sessile and serrate margins. They are 2 in (5.1 cm) to 6 in (15.2 cm) long and 1 in (2.5 cm) to 2.0 in (5 cm) wide.
- 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 Elm-leaf Goldenrod in the United States and Canada
This goldenrod species is native to the midwestern and eastern United States and eastern Canada. Solidago ulmifolia var. ulmifolia is considered to be rare in the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vermont and the province of Ontario.
Habitat
This species grows in dry woods (Flora of North America), lowland woods (Henry and Scott 1985), floodplains (Rogers 1977), moist woods (Freeman 1953), rocky banks (Fernald 1911), shaly cliffs (Smith 1945), thickets (House 1942), and open woods (Palmer 1935) in circumneutral soils (Palmer and Steyermark 1935).
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). A leaf-roller (Depressaria pulvipenella) lives in the rolled leaves of this species (Coquillett 1883).
Other Supported Wildlife
This species is a nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, especially Andrena bees, and wasps during the growing season. It is especially important since it provides a nectar source in the late season. Birds eat the seeds in the fall and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database notes that this species has been used as a stimulant.
How is this plant distinguished from other Goldenrods?
This goldenrod is considered to be similar to the Atlantic Goldenrod (Solidago arguta), but it has a basal rosette, whereas this species does not have a rosette (Taylor and Taylor 1984). Variety ulmifolia is similar to Solidago rugosa as well, but rugosa has a pubescent stem. In addition, Solidago rugosa has a rhizome, which Solidago ulmifolia does not have (Cronquist 1947).
Is this plant invasive?
This species has not been noted as being weedy.
Gardening with Elm-leaf 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 wet soils.
References
- Cronquist, Arthur. 1947. Notes on the Compositae of the northeastern United States. IV. Solidago. Rhodora 49: 69-79.
- Fernald, Merritt Lyndon. 1911. Notes from the Phaenogamic Herbarium of the New England Botanical Club, — II. Rhodora 13: 177-183.
- Freeman, O.M. 1953. Annotated list of the plants growing naturally at the National Arboretum. (Washington, DC: US G.P.O.) National Arboretum Contribution No. 1.
- Henry, R.D. and A.R. Scott. 1985. Preliminary Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Ferster Woods, West-Central Illinois. Phytologia 57: 65-72.
- House, Homer. 1942. Clarence J. Elting and his Herbarium. Torreya 42(6): 181-190.
- Meehan, Thomas and Louis Prang. 1878. The native flowers and ferns of the United States in their botanical, horticultural and popular aspects. (Boston, MA: L. Prang and Company).
- Palmer, Ernest J. 1935. Supplement to the Spontaneous Flora of the Arnold Arboretum. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 16(1): 81-97.
- Palmer, Ernest J. and Julian A. Steyermark. 1935. An Annotated Catalogue of the Flowering Plants of Missouri. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 22: 375-758.
- Rogers, Ken E. 1977. Vascular Flora of the Ragland Hills Area, Forrest and Perry Counties, Mississippi. Sida 7: 51-79.
- Smith, Stanley J. 1945. Contributions to the flora of central New York, I. (Albany, NY: University of the State of New York).
- Taylor, Constance E.S. and Ronald J. Taylor. 1984. Solidago (Asteraceae) in Oklahoma and Texas. Sida 10: 223-251.
