Solidago rugosa (Wrinkleleaf goldenrod)

Solidago rugosa, named the wrinkleleaf goldenrod or rough goldenrod is one of the more abundant goldenrods of the swampy and woodland habitats of Virginia. It is a widespread species that forms dense vegetative colonies in areas with full sun and high but well draining moisture. The plant's dense rhizomatous growth helps stabilize soil, particularly in erosion-prone riparian and wetland areas.

 

Primarily differentiated from other goldenrods by its wrinkled leaves and occasionally hairy stems, and its branching habit. The flowers are small, bright yellow, and arranged in dense, plume-like panicles. Blooming period occurs from late summer into fall. The profuse blooms are highly attractive to pollinators of all sizes, tiny solitary bees, bumblebees, moths, flies, wasps, beetles and butterflies. Solidago are often an important source of nectar for fall migrating Monarchs.

 

Goldenrod blooms support many uncommon and rare specialist bees, which only feed on the nectar and pollen of a select few flowering plants to survive. The genus is also considered a keystone plant, supporting a wide range of native insects as a larval host species, and for flies that form galls. The seeds are a food source for some birds.

 

It is best paired in a wild meadow with other strongly spreading plants, such as Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), common milkweed, many bonesets (Eupatorium), plumegrasses (Erianthus), big bluestem, New York ironweed, and wingstem, to name a few.

 

A common misconception is that goldenrod pollen causes hayfever, which is untrue. The pollen of solidago is dense and pollinated by insects. Hayfever is caused by the wind-disbursed pollen of the Ambrosia (ragweed) genus.