Stems and leaves usually moderately to densely strigoso-canescent. Leaves: basal often present in rosettes at flowering, proximalmost cauline petiolate to subpetiolate, sometimes present at flowering, largest sometimes with two prominent lateral nerves (3-nerved). Heads in variously thyrsiform-paniculiform, open to usually congested, cone-shaped, ± secund (to reflexed in S. nemoralis) arrays, proximal branches arching, secund; phyllaries 1-nerved, not stipitate-glandular, not striate. Pappus bristles usually in 2 series (inner usually weakly to moderately clavate).

Distribution

North America, Mexico.

Discussion

Species 6 (5 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Solidago mollis, Solidago nana, Solidago nemoralis, Solidago radula, Solidago velutina

Key

1	Heads secund, in rounded, secund, pseudo-corymbiform paniculiform arrays; oftenalkaline meadows and flats, Montana and Idaho s to New Mexico and Arizona	Solidago nana
1	Heads usually in narrowly to broadly pyramidal, paniculiform arrays, branches secund	> 2
2	Plants with short-branched caudices; arrays secund to apically recurved; prairies and open ground in e deciduous forests	Solidago nemoralis
2	Plants creeping-rhizomatous; heads in thyrsiform to secund-pyramidal, paniculiform arrays	> 3
3	Leaves finely scabrous, not or weakly 3-nerved; e United States	Solidago radula
3	Leaves coarsely scabrous, hispid or soft-canescent, sometimes strongly 3-nerved; prairies and w United States	> 4
4	Heads in paniculiform arrays, usually compact, branches broadly thyrsiform to somewhat secund pyramidal, proximal branches reflexed-recurved distally,basal leaves withering by flowering; prairies of Great Plains	Solidago mollis
4	Heads in cone-shaped arrays with branches narrowly secund, or open, lax, pyramidal; basal leaves often present at flowering; from near sea to mid montane elevations, Wyoming to s Oregon, s to central Mexico	Solidago velutina