Flower ID: IMG_1302.JPG-07-22-2017 Flower name (scientific): Solidago nemoralis Aiton PY: 1789. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) so-li-DAY-go (or sol-id-A-go) nem-or-AL-is (or ne-more-AL-is) Flower name (common): Gray 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: Latin for of or belonging to a grove or wood. Common name origin: From the grayish color (canescence) of the leaves. 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: 4, ray florets 5 to 11, disc florets 3 to 10. Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 4 to 40 inches (10 to 102 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal and proximal cauline leaves up to 10 cm long and up to 1.5 cm wide. Mis-stem and distal cauline leaves up to 4.5 cm long and 7 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal and proximal cauline) spatulate-ovate to oblanceolate, (cauline) linear-oblanceolate (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, savannas, woodland openings, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun or semi-shade, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Features to look for to aid the identification of this goldenrod are the following. Leaf faces densely hairy, stems short-canescent (densely covered with short greyish-white hairs), under 1 m tall and often under 61 cm (2 feet), commonly with small leaves growing in the upper stem axils, ray florets typically 5 to 11, and flower heads often secund (arranged on one side of the inflorescence). Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Houma, Iroquois, and Mahuna used the plant to treat ailments that included jaundice, kidney issues, burns, and skin issues (Moerman, p. 537, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, 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, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: nm Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Solidago nemoralis subsp. nemoralis (The other infraspecific is Solidago nemoralis subsp. decemflora (de Candolle) Brammall ex Semple which occurs widely in the US and Canada.)