Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) is a herbaceous perennial that is found on the east coast and the shores of the Great Lakes in the United States and Canada. This plant, along with other goldenrods, is an important nectar source for many insects in the fall including the Monarch butterfly. It can grow from 2 to 8 feet tall and has lanceolate to oblong leaves with entire margins. The golden yellow flowers bloom from August to November and it is hardy in zones 3-8. The seeds for this plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
Table of Contents for Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Taxonomy and Naming of Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Taxonomy
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) was named by Carl von Linnaeus in 1753 in Species Plantarum based on a specimen in a garden in England. This species has kept the same name since. This plant is a member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae).
Varieties
Seaside goldenrod has two varieties — var. mexicana and var. sempervirens. Variety mexicana has a more southern distribution, while the typic variety sempervirens has a northeastern distribution and has been introduced in the Great Lakes region. The mexicana variety has two synonyms associated with it.
Synonyms for var. mexicana
- Solidago mexicana
- Solidago petiolata
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). The name comes from the medicinal uses of the plant. The species name, sempervirens, derives from the Latin for “always green” meaning that the plant is evergreen through the year (Wordsense).
Common Names and Alternative Names
The common name as used in this post refers to the habitat of the plant since it is found on shores or the seaside. Other common names are also descriptive of the habitat and include northern seaside goldenrod or salt-marsh goldenrod. Another, evergreen goldenrod, stems from the fact that it is green throughout the year. Sometimes it is called just plain “goldenrod.”
Physical Description
Description
- Plant Type: This plant is herbaceous perennial that is somewhat succulent. This plant is highly tolerant of salt spray, which allows it to exist in coastal dunes.
- Height: 2 to 8 feet (1 – 2.5 m) tall.
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, simple, entire, and lanceolate to oblong in shape. They are 2 to 24 inches in length and 0.5 to 3 inches in width.
- Flower Color: The flowers are generally a golden/yellow color. In Massachusetts there is a form that is pale lemon yellow (Harris 1958) and white flowered population (Kidder 1917).
- Blooming period: August to November
- Fruiting type and period: achene — October to November
Range of Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) in the United States and Canada
Habitat
This goldenrod grows in places where it is exposed to full sun along coastal shores in dunes, marshes, and sandy swales. It can also be found on roadsides that are exposed to winter road salt.
Hosted Insects
This goldenrod supports the Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata).
Other Supported Wildlife
Most goldenrods are major sources of nectar for a lot of insects in the fall. This goldenrod is no different. Insects that are helped the most include Andrena bees and bumblebees, but butterflies are also frequent visitors including Monarch butterflies. The leaves are enjoyed by leaf beetles and miners (Great Lakes Aquatic Non-Indigenous Species). Birds are fond of the fruits and it is deer resistant, most likely because of its succulent nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this plant poisonous?
The Celebrity Angels site lists Solidago, or goldenrods in general as being mildly poisonous to pets and the Deerfield Veterinary Clinic lists it as well. The Botanical Online site says that goldenrods are not poisonous, but that they can cause gastronomic distress if eaten.
How has this goldenrod been used?
There is no information on this particular species, but goldenrods in general have been used for pain relief and for respiratory ailments.
What other goldenrods are similar?
This species is one of the taller goldenrods and not all that similar to other goldenrods on the east coast. Generally it can be identified by the coastal habitat where it is one of the only goldenrods in the area. This species is similar to Solidago azorica in the Azores Islands (St. John 1915). This species has been reported to hybridize with Solidago rugosa (Great Lakes Non-Indigenous Species) and with Solidago stricta (Cronquist 1980). Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) is very close in appearance to this plant, but it has larger stem leaves and forms mats in wetlands.
Is it invasive?
This goldenrod, while introduced in the Great Lakes region and throughout other parts of the world is not considered to be invasive. It is short-lived and grows in an inhospitable habitat with no spreading by rhizomes.
Is it deer resistant?
This species is considered to be deer resistant by most sources.
Does goldenrod cause allergies or hay fever?
Goldenrods in general, which do not cause hayfever, are often confused for ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), which cause the common hayfever. These plants bloom at the same time, which may lead to the confusion.
Gardening with Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Add Seaside Goldenrod to your Garden
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Hardiness
This goldenrod is hardy in zones 3-8 and prefers open areas with full sun that have sandy well-drained soil.
Optimal Conditions
This goldenrod prefers places that have full sun, but can handle some shade. Soils should be somewhat moist, but well-drained. This plant is known to transplant well and is easily spread by seed. It has an early blooming time from June to August and is one of the first goldenrods to flower.
References
- Cronquist, A. 1980. Vascular Flora of the southeastern United States I. Asteraceae. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
- Harris, Stuart K. 1958. A new color form of Solidago sempervirens. Rhodora 60: 261-262.
- Kidder, Nathaniel T. 1917. A form of Solidago sempervirens with White Rays. Rhodora 19: 20-20.
- St. John, Harold. 1915. An insular variety of Solidago sempervirens. Contributions of the Gray Herbarium 43: 26-27.