Flower ID: IMG_0824.JPG-08-19-2018 Flower name (scientific): Solidago altissima Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) so-li-DAY-go (or sol-id-A-go) al-TISS-ih-muh Flower name (common): Tall Goldenrod Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin solido, to make whole or heal, to strengthen, referring to the assumed medicinal properties of the plant. A name used by Otto Brunfels (1488/89 – 1534) for its use as a medicine. Specific epithet: The tallest, referring to the plant height (can be over 6 feet). Common name origin: From the height of the plant. From the Latin virga for rod and aurea for golden, hence goldenrod, so named for the bright yellow flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (0.3 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 8, ray florets 5 to 17, disc florets 2 to 9 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 24 to 79 inches (61 to 200 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Lower stem leaves up to 15 cm long and up to 2 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblanceolate, (mid to distal cauline) oblanceolate (proximally) to lanceolate (distally) (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, meadows, fields, forests, woodland edges, streambanks, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): S. canadensis (Canada Goldenrod) and S. gigantea (Giant Goldenrod) are similar tall species to S. altissima. Galls are common on S. altissima and S. gigantea, but very infrequent on S. canadensis. S. altissima has hairy stems, leaves with rough surfaces, and has involucres (floral bracts) 2.5 to 4.5 mm, whereas S. gigantea has essentially hairless stems, leaves with smooth surfaces, and has involucres (2-)2.5 to 4(-5) mm, while S. canadensis has involucres 1.7 to 2.5(-3) mm. S. altissima is considered by some authorities to be a variety of S. canadensis, but is currently treated by the FNA as a separate species. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.795723 Longitude: -91.513248 Altitude: 273.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (MB, NB, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Solidago altissima subsp. altissima (The other infraspecific is Solidago altissima subsp. gilvocanescens (Rydberg) Semple which occurs native in many central US states and most of Canada.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU