Very common in the eastern Us and the eastern portion of the Tallgrass biome on dry prairies, dry open woods, along roadsides and in disturbed areas. Yellow to yellow-orange flowers appear at the top of the plant in slightly rounded, dense clusters that can be several inches across; blooms from August to October. Leaves are alternate on the stem and are sparsely toothed and leathery.

Goldenrods spread by both seeds and rhizomes. When grown in prairies, savannas and meadows, Goldenrod is not invasive in a sunny, mesic/dry location and is amazingly hardy.

Goldenrod is a host plant for a number of beneficial insects and is used as a food source by a number of moth and butterfly caterpillars.  Goldenrod will often be covered with bees, wasps, flies and butterflies sipping nectar when it is in bloom.  Other insects including Praying Mantis, Lacewings, spiders, beetles and parasitic wasps utilize it for both habitat and food.

Goldenrod is a late season pollinator, thus provides nectar for many beneficial insects in late summer when other plants are dormant. it's pollinated primarily by insects.

Although considered a weed by some, Goldenrod has earned a reputation as a prized garden plant by gardeners worldwide providing swaths of gold color covered with buzzing insects. When including Goldenrods to your garden, avoid supplementing with additional water.

Historically Goldenrods were unjustly believed to be the cause of hay fever, however, Ragweed (Ambrosia, sp.) is the true hay fever culprit which blooms at the same time as Goldenrod.  Ragweed’s pollen is wind-born; Goldenrod's pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown in the wind.

A lotion was made years ago from Stiff Goldenrod for treating bee stings. Prior to that, early settlers made a thick tea from the leaves to treat swollen throats.

This species is invasive that increases in grazed pastures because it is only eaten in its early stages of growth.

Edible Uses: Unknown

Medicinal Uses: The leaves and blossoms are antiseptic, astringent and styptic. A valuable remedy in the treatment of all kinds of haemorrhages. The flowers have been ground into a lotion and used to treat bee stings. An oil obtained from the plant (is this an essential oil?) is diuretic. The root is cathartic and diuretic. A decoction of the root has been used as an enema. An infusion has been used to restore the flow of urine.

Other Uses: A good quality rubber can be made from a latex that is obtained from the leaves. Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.

Herbal Uses: Unknown