Family – Asteraceae
Stems:
Lower stem.
Upper stem.
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
Involucre:
N/A
Ray flowers:
Disk flowers:
N/A
Flowering – August – October.
Habitat – Rich woodlands, road banks.
Origin – Native to North America.
Other information – This attractive species can be found in just a handful of scattered Alabama counties. The plant can be identified by its moderately thin, erect stems, which have striate nerves arising from the base of the short leaf petioles.
Another species, S. caesia L., is similar but has thinner stems whish are terete and a distinct bluish-gray color. This latter species is more common in Alabama and grows in areas with rich soils and typically in the shade.
The genus name Solidago derives from the Latin “solidus” meaning “whole” or “to make whole” and the Greek “ago” meaning “leader”. The name Solidago means “uniter (used as a healing medicine)”.
The species epithet curtisii is named in honor of the plants discoverer, Moses Ashley Curtis (1808-1872).
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Skyline Wildlife Management Area, Jackson County, AL., 10-16-04.