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Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

Common
Name

Scientific
Name

Plant
Family

Garden
Location

Prime
Season
Zigzag Goldenrod
Solidago flexicaulis L.
Aster (Asteraceae)
Woodland and Upland
Late Summer to Autumn
Other names and notes
(Broad-leaved Goldenrod). Lower leaves are oval to egg shaped with sharp teeth, narrowed at the base to a short stalk. Upper leaves within the inflorescence are more linear with less pronounced teeth. The common name refers to the zigzags of the stem. Flowers are in short clusters growing from the upper leaf axils. Each flower head has 3 to 4 yellow rays and pronounced stamens. Can reach 4 feet in height, usually found shorter. The stem is smooth but the inflorescence can have a hairy stem. Likes a shady to partially sunny area, thus most will be found in the Woodland Garden. The species name, flexicaulis, means "flexible" and refers to the stem's angles.
Zig-Zag Goldenrod
Zig-Zag Goldenrod
Zig-Zag Goldenrod Leaf
Above left and center: Early flowers from mid-August
Above: A mature lower stem leaf.
Below: Clumps of the plant will surprise the stroller along the Woodland Garden paths.
Zig-Zag Goldenrod
Zig-Zag Goldenrod group
Zig-Zag Goldenrod
 
Zig-Zag Goldenrod
  
Notes: This plant is indigenous to the Garden area and was listed on Martha Crone's 1951 inventory of plants in the Garden at that time. The plant is native to Minnesota in many counties except those of the SW, the far north and Cook.  
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References: Plant characteristics are generally from sources 15, 16, 30, 31, 33, W2 & W3. Distribution principally from W2 and also 31, 34 and W1. Planting history generally from 1, 4 & 4a. Other sources by specific reference. See Reference List for details.  
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