Asteraceae
Daisy Family
Solidago missouriensis Nutt.
- Stem: perennial; 1 1/2’ to 2 1/2’ tall; unbranched; smooth.
- Leaves: alternate; narrow, tapered bases, sharp tips; 3” by 3/8” to 1” by 1/8” below the inflorescence; toothed toward the tips; smooth above and below.
- Inflorescence: branching flower stalks at the stem tip; many small heads attached to one side of flower stalks; inflorescence often cone-shaped at maturity.
- Heads: yellow ray and disk flowers; head 1/4” across; fillaries 1/8” tall; flowering from mid-July to mid-August.
- Fruits: “seeds” (fruits) 1/32” long; plumes 1/8” long; fruiting begins in late July.
- Habitat: frequent on dry, upland, and sandy prairies.
- Notes: Two characteristics that distinguish Missouri goldenrod are its early blooming, the first of the goldenrods, and its lack of hairs on the stem and leaves. Not all stems produce flowers.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
