(Rocky Mountain goldenrod)
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Photo of Solidago multiradiata by Carl Roland
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Solidago multiradiata (rocky mountain goldenrod) is a common perennial herb in the aster family (Asteraceae) with many small, yellow flowering heads that occurs widely in a variety of habitats in Denali from floodplains, meadows and open forest in the boreal zone to meadows and tundra in the high alpine. Plants have one to several 5-40 cm tall stems arising from a woody
rhizome. Basal leaves are petiolate,
linear-
oblanceolate in shape, and with
ciliate margins. Stem leaves are reduced, alternate, and
sessile or partially clasping. The numerous yellow flower heads are arranged in a dense
corymb, sometimes with additional single heads held lower on the stem. Flower heads contain both disc and ray flowers. The petal of the
disc flower is 4-7 mm long. Fruits are a single-seeded hairy
achene. Another distinguishing trait of this plant is the conspicuous net-veined appearance of the lower leaf surface.
Solidago multiradiatais a
deciduous perennial that flowers mid to late summer.
Solidago multiradiata is
monoecious and insect pollinated, although it can also be
apomictic. Seeds have a tuft of attached hairs, aiding in wind dissemination.
Solidago multiradiata is a larval host plant for the Damoetas Checkerspot butterfly
Chlosyne damoetas (
Scott 1986). The Pacific Northwest Fungi Database documented 3 species of rusts on
S. multiradiata,
Puccinia stipae,
Coleosporium asterum, and
Mycosphaerella tassiana (
Glawe 2016).
Goldenrod, referring to plants of the genus Solidago, have various traditional medicinal uses including: inflammation reduction, as a diuretic, to treat gout, arthritis, and eczema, and many others. The word solidago is derived from Latin solidare meaning 'to make whole'.
Disclaimer for Known Uses.
Solidago multiradiata occurs only in North America, ranging from Alaska across all Canadian provinces and southward through the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states as far south as New Mexico and Arizona. In Alaska, this species is common statewide in suitable habitat. In Denali, S. multiradiata occurs widely across the park, occurring on both sides of the Alaska Range.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right, depicting recent Denali data.
Solidago multiradiata is a subalpine to alpine species that grows at a wide range of elevations. In Denali, it is found from 155 m to 1533 m, with an average plot elevation of 922 m. This species prefers steep south facing.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right. For more on how to interpret these figures, visit Understanding Data Presented.
Solidago multiradiata grows in well-drained, dry to moist gravelly or rocky soils, alpine meadows and open woods.
Moist to dry sites.
