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Grass-leaved goldenrod is a native perennial herb that spreads from a branching rhizome to form large patches. It grows to 1 m tall in dry to moist old fields and meadows, and on damp sandy shores .
It's commonly at or near the water table and is associated with past disturbance on alkaline soils. The genus Euthamia was formerly included in Solidago, the true goldenrods.
Leaves are dull green,
alternate and narrowly lance-shaped, more than 10 times as long as wide, and with smooth margins. The main leaves on the stem have 3 prominent veins, but the basal and lower leaves are shed by the time the
plant flowers.
Small golden yellow flowers bloom through August and September along with the true goldenrods, but none of the later have such narrow leaves.
The flower heads are sessile in clusters of 2 or more and form a dense flat-topped inflorescence.
Origin of the Name: Euthamia, eu-, Gr. good, complete; graminifolia, L., gramineus, grass-like, L., folium, a leaf
Range: Nf. to BC, s. to NC, MO, NM
WI Range: Common Statewide, except in the Driftless Area
Common associates: Ragweed, Sawtooth sunflower, sneezeweed
Wetland Indicator Status: FACW-
Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 4 (S&W), C = 3 (MI))
The insects are soldier beetles. This species, Chauliognathus, which feeds on pollen and nectar of “goldenrods”, is apparently a "lumper", not a "splitter".
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