More names for this plant
The Dakota and Anishinaabe were among the earliest people to name Minnesota’s plants and animals, as well as to understand them in relation to Minnesota’s climate and seasons. Those original names are still in use, and several are included on the Season Watch website. However, complete translations were not available.
Latin (or scientific name): Solidago canadensis
The scientific community has a convention of assigning agreed-upon Latin names to every kind of organism. Using scientific names helps people communicate confidently about the same organism and organize lifeforms based on how closely related they are.
More common names: Canadian goldenrod, common goldenrod
Page contents
August 17, 2016, Hennepin County, Minnesota
Photo © Charles Willis, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)
iNaturalist observation
About Canada goldenrod
- Canada goldenrod is a perennial that grows two to four feet tall, has lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of golden flowers that produce tufts of seeds.
- The flowers bloom in late summer and early fall.
- Goldenrod flowers are an important late-season food source for pollinators. Goldenrod seeds are food for small birds in winter.
- Canada goldenrod can be found throughout Minnesota.
- Though it is native to North America, Canada goldenrod is considered an invasive weed in Europe and Asia.
- Fun fact: Canada goldenrod can be used to create dyes.
Visual guide to phenology
Watch for the appearance of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Take notice of when flowers open and fruits ripen.
Note to observers
This page explains general clues to watch for when observing Canada goldenrod phenology. However, this page does not explain how to identify this plant or collect data in a standardized way.
- For help with identification, see Minnesota Wildflowers.
- For guidance on collecting data, see Nature’s Notebook.
Graphs and historical data
Note: The Orientation Center provides a map, as well as information on reading graphs; interpreting summary statistics, who collected the data and how; and how to download datasets for independent exploration.
Flowering
- Earliest: July 15 (occurred in 1977)
- Average: July 31
- Latest: August 20 (occurred in 1960)
Last flower
- Earliest: September 17 (occurred in 1981)
- Average: September 29
- Latest: October 8 (occurred in 1961)
First flower (for goldenrod species, or genus Solidago)
- Earliest: July 8 (occurred in 2010)
- Average: July 23
- Latest: August 5 (occurred in 2013)
More resources
Keep exploring Season Watch
Keep exploring Season Watch
Co-author: Lynsey Nass, Minnesota Master Naturalist