Leaves: basal (rosettes) usually present at flowering, largest; petiole bases or vasculature persisting on rhizomes; proximalmost cauline petiolate, often present but withered at flowering; proximal and distal usually with 1 prominent nerve (multiple nerves proximally in S. riddellii). Heads in flat-topped to rounded corymbiform arrays, sometimes glomerulate. Phyllaries striate with 3–7 nerves (except S. ptarmicoides), eglandular. Pappi bristles in 2 series (outer not clavate, inner longest, somewhat to strongly clavate).

Distribution

North America.

Discussion

Species 6 (6 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Solidago houghtonii, Solidago nitida, Solidago ohioensis, Solidago ptarmicoides, Solidago riddellii, Solidago rigida

Key

1	Leaves, stems and peduncles moderately to densely short-hairy; distal cauline leaf bladesovate, flat, never folded along midrib	Solidago rigida
1	Leaves, stems, and peduncles glabrous or sparsely hairy; distal leaf blades linear to lanceolate, sometimes folded along midrib	> 2
2	Rays white (rarely cream); leaf blades linear, stiff, glabrous or sparsely hairy	Solidago ptarmicoides
2	Rays yellow; leaf blades linear to linear-lanceolate, stiff or flexible, glabrous	> 3
3	Rays 1–4, peduncles usually sparsely to moderately strigillose; Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas	Solidago nitida
3	Rays 6–12, peduncles glabrous or moderately strigillose; Manitoba, midwestern and Great Lakes states s to e Missouri	> 4
4	Involucres (5.5–)6–8(–9) mm; proximal and mid cauline leaves usually 3-nerved (sometimes obscurely), the 2 prominent lateral nerves arising proximally and running alongside midnerve for some distance before abruptly diverging; heads usually 10–30(–50)(–100+ rarely, in aberrant plants); plants 30–60+ cm; rays occasionally lighter yellow with age (damp,interdunal hollows, limestone alvars, Michigan, Ontario)	Solidago houghtonii
4	Involucres 4–6 mm; mid and distal cauline leaves not 3-nerved or if so then nerves parallel and not abruptly diverging; heads usually (10– on shorter stems)50–400; plants 40–120 cm	> 5
5	Leaves flat, only 1 nerve prominent; arrays corymbiform; dunes, marshes, along rivers,Great Lakes area, New York to Illinois and Wisconsin	Solidago ohioensis
5	Leaves folded along midrib and with (2–)3–8 prominent nerves at base; arrays somewhat paniculiform with rounded corymbiform branches; moist ground, sw Ontario toWisconsin and se Manitoba, sw to e Missouri	Solidago riddellii