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Solidago flexicaulis - L.

Common Name Zigzag goldenrod
Family Compositae
USDA hardiness 3-9
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Rich deciduous woods, wooded east and north facing slopes, rocky woods, edges of floodplain forests, shaded calcareous seeps, wooded stream banks, edges of limestone glades and cliffs.
Range Native to the eastern and central parts of the United States and Canada, from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and the Dakotas, and south as far as Alabama and Louisiana.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Solidago flexicaulis Zigzag goldenrod


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Solidago flexicaulis Zigzag goldenrod
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Solidago flexicaulis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aster latifolius (L.) Kuntze [Illegitimate]. Doria flexicaulis (L.) Lunell. S. flexicaulis var. ciliata DC. S. flexicaulis f. flexicaulis. S. flexicaulis var. flexicaulis. S. flexicaulis var. latifolia (L.) Pursh. S. latifolia L. S. scrophulariifolia Mill.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves used for tea [1-2]. Edible seed [1-2]. No further information available.

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.


Many species of Solidago have medicinal qualities although we have been unable to find information on Solidago flexicaulis.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good nurse plant for sites prone to drought. Erosion Control. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects [1-2]. The flowerheads are pollinated by many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, small-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. Several bees are oligoleges of Solidago spp. (Goldenrods). These species include: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Andrena solidaginis, and Colletes simulans armata. Many insects feed on the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of goldenrods. These insect feeders include plant bugs, stink bugs, aphids, leaf beetles, and the caterpillars of many moths. These insects are a source of food to many woodland songbirds and some upland gamebirds. White-tailed Deer readily browse on the foliage of Zigzag Goldenrod [1-6]. An interesting goldenrod for shady woodland areas [368-1].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A long-lived upright herbaceous perennial in the sunflower family (Compositae/Asteraceae). Prefers average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. This is a woodland species that perhaps does best in sun-dappled part shade, but will also grow in full shade. Established plants tolerate some dry soils [368-1]. Soil Type: Loamy, Silty. Tolerat clay or rocky soils. Soil Moisture: Moderate - mesic or dry soils. Minimum Root Depth: 20cm/8 inches. Root Type: Fibrous Shallow. Yellow flower; adds bright color to woodland gardens in fall. Bloom Time: July to September. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Root Division , Seeds. Fresh seed or root division. Seed Collection: Seeds ripen soon after plant blooms.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Zig-zag goldenrod, Zigzag golden rod, Broadleaved goldenrod

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Listed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Solidago canadensisCanadian Goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger's goldenrod, Rough Canada goldenrod, Common GoldenroPerennial1.8 5-10 MLMHSNM221
Solidago canadensis scabraCanadian GoldenrodPerennial1.8 3-7  LMHSNM222
Solidago fistulosaPine barren goldenrodPerennial1.8 0-0  LMHSNM012
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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Subject : Solidago flexicaulis  
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