Elm-leaved Goldenrod

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod
Solidago ulmifolia [C-value 5]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August - mid-November

The native Elm-Leaved Goldenrod is uncommon in our area. It prefers light shade to partial sun and medium moist to slightly dry soil. Habitats include upland woodlands, woodland edges, thinly wooded bluffs and partially shaded stream banks. This perennial is 1¼-3' tall and unbranched, except toward the apex where the flowers occur. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1¾" across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lance-shaped and toothed. The central stem terminates in a panicle of yellow flowers up to 1' tall and 1' across. The major branches of this panicle are arching, widely spreading, and raceme-like in appearance. Each yellow flower is about 1/8" across, consisting of 3-8 ray florets around a similar number of disk florets.

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod at Lyon Forest Preserve September 4, 2013

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 31, 2014

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod foliage at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 31, 2014

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod at Millbrook South Forest Preserve July 19, 2012

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve November 8, 2014 (most seeds disbursed)

Native Americans used Solidago as in “Sun Medicine” to calm upset stomach, cure wounds, and even for toothaches. The goldenrods were long used topically for wound healing and also to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthma, arthritis, colds, flu, kidney stones, bladder and urinary inflammation, allergies, laryngitis and sore throat, mouth ulcers, cuts and abrasions. It has the ability to fight off infection because it has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory elements. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.

Click here for more information.

Back to index page

Back to K.C.F.P. home page