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Solidago canadensis - L.

Common Name Canadian Goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger's goldenrod, Rough Canada goldenrod, Common Goldenro
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards Weak potential for sensitization. Irrigation therapy is contraindicated in cases of oedema due to renal or heart disease. Care needed with chronic kidney disease [301].
Habitats Dry to damp thickets, roadsides, slopes and clearings, avoiding acid soils.
Range Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Ontario, south to Virginia. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Solidago canadensis Canadian Goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pichard
Solidago canadensis Canadian Goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer, Mid fall. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Solidago canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aster canadensis. Doria canadensis. Solidago anthropogena

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil  Tea

Young leaves and flowering stems - cooked[172]. Seed[22, 46, 61, 105, 161, 183]. Used as a thickener in soups[172]. The seed is very small[K] and is only used as a survival food when all else fails[222]. A tea can be made from the flowers and/or the leaves[172, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Haemostatic  Kidney  Salve  Styptic  Urinary

Haemostatic, styptic[168, 172]. The root is applied as a poultice to burns[168, 172, 222]. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic[168, 172]. The blossoms are analgesic, astringent and febrifuge[257]. They have been chewed and the juice slowly swallowed to treat sore throats[213, 222]. A tea made from the flowers is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, body pains, fevers and snakebites[222, 257]. The plant contains quercitin, a compound that is reportedly useful in the treatment of haemorrhagic nephritis[222]. This plant is said to have similar medicinal properties to S. virgaurea. These are:- Goldenrod is a safe and gentle remedy for a number of disorders. In particular, it is a valuable astringent remedy treating wounds and bleeding, whilst it is particularly useful in the treatment of urinary tract disorders, being used both for serious ailments such as nephritis and for more common problems such as cystitis[254]. The plant contains saponins that are antifungal and act specifically against the Candida fungus which is the cause of vaginal and oral thrush[238, 254]. It also contains rutin which is used to treat capillary fragility, and phenolic glycosides which are anti-inflammatory[238]. The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, febrifuge and stimulant[4, 7, 9, 21, 147, 165]. A good vulnerary herb, it has also proved of value when used internally in the treatment of urinary infections, chronic catarrh, skin diseases, influenza, whooping cough, bladder and kidney stones etc[4, 238]. Due to its mild action, goldenrod is used to treat gastro-enteritis in children[254]. It makes an excellent mouthwash in the treatment of thrush[7]. The plant is gathered in the summer and dried for later use[7]. The seed is anticoagulant, astringent and carminative[218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders, rheumatism and arthritis[9]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Solidago canadensis for infections of the urinary tract, and kidney and bladder stones (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Oil

Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168]. The source of 'Canadian goldenrod' oil[46]. We have no further details, but it is likely to be an essential oil.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Seashore, Specimen, Woodland garden. Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil[1]. The flowers attract butterflies and moths[30]. The plant also attracts various beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to the garden, these insects will help to control insect pests in the garden[201, 238]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Solidago canadensis scabraCanadian GoldenrodPerennial1.8 3-7  LMHSNM222
Solidago fistulosaPine barren goldenrodPerennial1.8 0-0  LMHSNM012
Solidago flexicaulisZigzag goldenrodPerennial0.6 3-9 MLMHFSNDM003
Solidago giganteaGiant GoldenrodPerennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM021
Solidago graminifoliaFlat-Topped GoldenrodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM111
Solidago japonica Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Solidago leavenworthiiLeavenworth's goldenrodPerennial1.2 -  LMHSNM012
Solidago missouriensisPrairie Goldenrod, Missouri goldenrod, Tolmie's goldenrodPerennial1.2 6-9  LMHSNDM211
Solidago nemoralisOld-Field Goldenrod, Gray goldenrodPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNDM111
Solidago odoraSweet Goldenrod, Anisescented goldenrod, Chapman's goldenrodPerennial1.2 3-7  LMHSNDM222
Solidago radiata  0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Solidago rigidaStiff Goldenrod, Flat Topped Goldenrod, Stiff GoldenrodPerennial1.2 3-9 FLMHSNM022
Solidago spathulataCoast Goldenrod, Creeping GoldenrodPerennial0.6 4-9 FLMHSNM111
Solidago spectabilisNevada GoldenrodPerennial0.5 6-9  LMHSNM111
Solidago suaveolensanisescented goldenrodPerennial0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Solidago virgaureaGoldenrodPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM131

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Readers comment

alex   Tue Jun 26 2007

please add up what are all the researches now going on about solidago (e.g., nutrient recommendation, spacing, post harvest management etc.

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