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For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) is a perennial native to Canada, common in damp meadows, ditches, and forest edges. It typically grows 60 cm to 1.5 metres tall and forms dense clumps from a short rhizome. Its sturdy stems are often reddish at the base and covered with fine hairs. The foliage, rough to the touch, is medium to dark green. In late summer, it becomes covered with hundreds of small golden-yellow flowers arranged in branching, arching panicles, creating a bright, dense display from late August to October. Hardy and tolerant, it grows in moist to wet but well-drained soils and also adapts to medium soils in sunny garden settings.

Furthermore, goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are recognized as keystone plants for biodiversity in many North American ecoregions, as they support a wide variety of pollinating insects and birds that rely on their flowers and seeds.

Sociability index: 4 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Medicinal and culinary uses
The aerial parts of rough-stemmed goldenrod have been used in infusions for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Dried flowers can also be used to flavour light infusions.

Ecological roles
Rough-stemmed goldenrod is an essential late-season food source for a wide diversity of pollinators, including bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and several butterfly species. It also attracts many beneficial predatory and parasitic insects. Its dry stems provide winter shelter for small invertebrates, while its seeds feed some seed-eating birds. In both natural habitats and urban plantings, this species contributes to soil stabilization and supports biodiversity late in the season.

Rough-stemmed goldenrod seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.