SOLIDAGO
SPHACELATA Raf.
False
Goldenrod
FAMILY: Asteraceae
SYNONYMS: Brachychaeta sphacelata (Raf.)
Britton.
HABIT: Herbaceous perennial from a short rhizome,
5-12 dm.; flowering and fruiting August-September.
SIMILAR
SPECIES: Superficially resembles other
goldenrods, especially Solidago arguta and S. ulmifolia;
distinguished by pappus bristles which are shorter than the hairy achenes.
TOTAL
RANGE: VA to GA and AL, w. to IL and
TN.
STATE
RANGE: A single population in Lawrence
County was discovered in 1994.
STATE
STATUS: 1996-1997: Added, 1998 to
present: Endangered.
HABITAT: Open woods and rocky slopes, often on calcareous
shale; full sun to semi-shade.
HAZARDS: Maturation of habitat with overgrowth by
woody species; severe slope erosion or subsidence.
RECOVERY
POTENTIAL: Unknown, possibly poor.
INVENTORY
GUIDELINES: Collect complete, mature
specimens with well-developed achenes.
COMMENTS: Though this species is easily overlooked due
to its close resemblance to other goldenrods, it probably is very local in
Ohio. Appropriate habitats in southeast
Ohio should be searched for additional populations.
This species occasionally is placed in
a separate genus because of its unusual pappus character; thus, the English
name “false” goldenrod.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Cronquist,
A. 1980. Vascular Flora of the Southeastern United States. Vol. I.
Asteraceae. Univ. of North
Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. xv + 261
p.
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Created: 12/1995
Allison W. Cusick
Database Code:
SPNX.K73