goldenrod

/gohl"deuhn rod'/, n.

1. any composite plant of the genus Solidago, most species of which bear numerous small, yellow flower heads.

2. a strong to vivid yellow.

adj.

3. of the color goldenrod.

[1560-70; GOLDEN + ROD]

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Any of the approximately 100 species of weedy, usually perennial herbaceous plants that make up the genus Solidago, in the composite family.

Most are native to North America; a few grow in Europe and Asia. They have toothed leaves and clustered yellow flower heads composed of both disk and ray flowers. Characteristic plants in eastern North America, they are found almost everywhere

in woodlands, swamps, on mountains, in fields, and along roadsides

and are a prominent feature of autumn from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic. Unlike ragweed, which blooms at the same time, they are not a cause of hay fever.

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▪ plant

 any of about 150 species of weedy, usually perennial herbs that constitute the genus Solidago of the family Asteraceae. Most of them are native to North America, though a few species grow in Europe and Asia. They have toothed leaves that usually alternate along the stem and yellow flower heads composed of both disk and ray flowers. The many small heads may be crowded together in one-sided clusters, or groups of heads may be borne on short branches to form a cluster at the top of the stem.

      Some species are clump plants with many stems; others have only one stem and few branches. Canadian goldenrod (S. canadensis) has hairy, toothed, lance-shaped leaves and hairy stems; it is sometimes cultivated as a garden ornamental. Solidago virgaurea of Europe, also grown as a garden plant, is the source of a yellow dye and was once used in medicines.

      The goldenrods are characteristic plants in eastern North America, where about 60 species occur. They are found almost everywhere—in woodlands, swamps, on mountains, in fields, and along roadsides—and form one of the chief floral glories of autumn from the Great Plains eastward to the Atlantic.

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