Locally abundant on open prairies and in savannas throughout the Tallgrass region; considerably less common in the southern portions of the Tallgrass region. Tall species; up to 4 feet with an unbranched stem; leaves are alternate and smooth; lower leaves are larger, up to 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. Yellow to yellow-orange flowers appear in a dense cylindrical cluster at the top of the plant from August to October. 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.

Edible Uses: Unknown

Medicinal Uses: Unknown

Herbal Uses: Unknwn