Solidago odora

SIMILAR SPECIES: Solidago is an extremely complex genus with many species in Ohio. S. odora can generally be distinguished from other Ohio species by its entire, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves which are anise-scented when crushed. These characters are not always reliable and the species must be identified by a combination of flower and leaf characters.

TOTAL RANGE: MA, NH, and VT to s. OH and s. MO; s. to FL and LA and in easternmost OK and TX.

STATE RANGE: There are extant populations in Jackson and Scioto counties.

STATE STATUS: 1980-1981: Threatened, 1982-1987: Endangered, 1988 to present: Threatened.

HABITAT: Dry, open to semi-open situations; usually in sandy or rocky, acid soil: open woods, thinly wooded slopes, thickets and clearings.

HAZARDS: Overshading by woody species as a result of succession.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but presumed good. Most of the Ohio populations are growing on roadbanks.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Examination of the complete plant, including underground parts, basal leaves, and mature flowering or fruiting material, is necessary for positive identification of species of the genus Solidago.

COMMENTS: The character of having entire, linear-lanceolate leaves that are anise-scented when crushed cannot be relied upon solely to identify S. odora. The leaves of Solidago graminifolia are entire, lance-linear, and give a slight anise scent when crushed. However, the inflorescence of S. odora is paniculiflorm, whereas the inflorescence of S. graminifolia is corymbiform.

When in bloom it is a conspicuous and easily identified species, but vegetative material may be overlooked. Cronquist (1980) splits this species into two varieties. Using this concept, Ohio plants are the typical variety.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Cronquist, A. 1980. Vascular flora of the southeastern United States. Vol. I. Asteraceae. Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. xv + 261 p.

Fisher, T.R. 1988. The Dicotyledoneae of Ohio. Part 3. Asteraceae. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus. 280 pp.

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created: 4/1982 James F. Burns

Database Code: SPNX.K43