There are at least seventy-five species of goldenrods (genus Solidago) native to North America. You are likely to encounter four goldenrods of the genus Solidago, plus another of the genus Euthamia, along the GAP. The goldenrod season opens in July with the appropriately named early goldenrod (Solidago juncea). Usually three to four feet tall, it has showy plumes of golden-yellow flowers, unlikely to be mistaken for any other plant. Fairly common on the GAP, is seems, for some reason to be even more common along roads that cross the GAP, in some places thickly lining roads for hundreds of yards.
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| Early Goldenrod |
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| Early Goldenrod |
Towards the end of July and into the middle of August the flat-topped goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) makes its appearance. Although called a goldenrod, it belongs to the genus Euthamia, unlike other goldenrods. Three to four feet tall, its flowers consist of florets arrayed in a flat circle, rather than in a plume like most other goldenrods.
Throughout August the wrinkled-leaf goldenrod flowers. Although its showy plumes are not unlike early goldenrod, its leaves have a distinctive wrinkled look, and the leaves and stems tend to be a darker green than other goldenrods.
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| Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod |
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| Wrinkled-leaf Goldenrod |
The signature plant of Autumn, the aptly-named tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), flowers from the beginning of September to well into October. It can get up to six or seven feet tall and is extravagantly adorned with flamboyant plumes of yellow flowers. It grows in profusion along the GAP and often entirely covers adjacent meadows. This is one plant you cannot miss if you travel on the GAP after the first of September.
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| Meadow full of Tall Goldenrod |
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| Tall Goldenrod |
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| Tall Goldenrod |
Less obvious is the woodland goldenrod (Solidago caesia). Unlike most other goldenrods, usually found in open, sunny areas, woodland goldenrod prefers, as the name implies, the shady floor of hardwood forests. It’s the smallest goldenrod, often two feet tall or less, seldom exceeding three, and its delicately flowered plumes are modest compared to its are less flamboyantly showy cousins.
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| Woodland Goldenrod |
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| Woodland Goldenrod |
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| Woodland Goldenrod |
