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Solidago virgaurea - L.

Common Name Goldenrod
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Mild allergic reactions. Avoid during pregnancy and breast feeding. Care if chronic kidney disease. Irrigation therapy is contraindicated in oedema cases [301].
Habitats Dry woods, grassland, rocks, cliffs, hedgebanks, dunes etc on acid or calcareous soils[17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, temperate Asia and N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod


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Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solidago_virgaurea_Sturm11.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Solidago virgaurea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aster virgaurea. Dectis decurrens. Doria virgaurea. Solidago vulgaris

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

A tea is obtained from the leaves[46, 61, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Anticoagulant  Antifungal  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Antiseptic  Aromatic  Astringent  
Carminative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Hypoglycaemic  Stimulant  TB  
Urinary

Goldenrod is a safe and gentle remedy for a number of disorders. In particular, it is a valuable astringent remedy treating wounds and bleeding, whilst it is particularly useful in the treatment of urinary tract disorders, being used both for serious ailments such as nephritis and for more common problems such as cystitis[254]. The plant contains saponins that are antifungal and act specifically against the Candida fungus which is the cause of vaginal and oral thrush[238, 254]. It also contains rutin which is used to treat capillary fragility, and phenolic glycosides which are anti-inflammatory[238]. The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, febrifuge and stimulant[4, 7, 9, 21, 147, 165]. A good vulnerary herb, it has also proved of value when used internally in the treatment of urinary infections, chronic catarrh, skin diseases, influenza, whooping cough, bladder and kidney stones etc[4, 238]. Due to its mild action, goldenrod is used to treat gastro-enteritis in children[254]. It makes an excellent mouthwash in the treatment of thrush[7]. The plant is gathered in the summer and dried for later use[7]. The seed is anticoagulant, astringent and carminative[218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders, rheumatism and arthritis[9]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Solidago virgaurea for infection of the urinary tract, kidney & bladder stones (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168]. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and flowers[4, 100].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil[1]. The bruised plant smells like wild carrots[4]. The sub-species S. virgaurea minuta is only 10cm tall and wide[188]. The plant attracts various beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to the garden, these insects will help to control insect pests in the garden[201, 238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Solidago canadensisCanadian Goldenrod, Shorthair goldenrod, Harger's goldenrod, Rough Canada goldenrod, Common GoldenroPerennial1.8 5-10 MLMHSNM221
Solidago canadensis scabraCanadian GoldenrodPerennial1.8 3-7  LMHSNM222
Solidago fistulosaPine barren goldenrodPerennial1.8 0-0  LMHSNM012
Solidago flexicaulisZigzag goldenrodPerennial0.6 3-9 MLMHFSNDM003
Solidago giganteaGiant GoldenrodPerennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM021
Solidago graminifoliaFlat-Topped GoldenrodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM111
Solidago japonica Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Solidago leavenworthiiLeavenworth's goldenrodPerennial1.2 -  LMHSNM012
Solidago missouriensisPrairie Goldenrod, Missouri goldenrod, Tolmie's goldenrodPerennial1.2 6-9  LMHSNDM211
Solidago nemoralisOld-Field Goldenrod, Gray goldenrodPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNDM111
Solidago odoraSweet Goldenrod, Anisescented goldenrod, Chapman's goldenrodPerennial1.2 3-7  LMHSNDM222
Solidago radiata  0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Solidago rigidaStiff Goldenrod, Flat Topped Goldenrod, Stiff GoldenrodPerennial1.2 3-9 FLMHSNM022
Solidago spathulataCoast Goldenrod, Creeping GoldenrodPerennial0.6 4-9 FLMHSNM111
Solidago spectabilisNevada GoldenrodPerennial0.5 6-9  LMHSNM111
Solidago suaveolensanisescented goldenrodPerennial0.0 -  LMHSNM111

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

einar kr. holtet   Tue May 19 2009

Everywhere you get to know that Solidago virgaurea is in full flower only from July. However, this is NOT what I see. Yearly, this plant is one of the earliest to flower, from April-May in Oslo, for example. How come this discrepancy? What is right?

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