STIFF GOLDENROD (Oligoneuron rigidum)
Stiff goldenrod is one of the relatively few prairie plants that seems to attract more attention when it’s not flowering. When I lead prairie tours, someone inevitably becomes intrigued by the large, fuzzy basal leaves and wants to know what they are. The flowering stems are easy to identify by their blunt-tipped, light green, fuzzy or roughly hairy, clasping leaves. Flower clusters are flat-topped and more compact than other goldenrods. Stiff goldenrod sometimes forms hybrids with white upland aster and Riddell’s goldenrod.
Flower Colour: yellow
Life Cycle: perennial
Sun Exposure: full sun to part shade
Bloom Period: August to September
Height: 1 – 4 ft.
Soil: dry to medium