FNPS Plant Database

Solidago odora

sweet goldenrod, anise-scented goldenrod
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Janet Bowers, Heartland Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Janet Bowers, Heartland Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sweet goldenrod, anise-scented goldenrod

Synonym(s):

Solidago odora var. odora

Genus species:

Solidago odora

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

3-5 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden. Meadow.

Considerations:

Spreads aggressively via rhizomes.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Division. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Attracts many pollinators.  The goldenrod soldier beetle (a.k.a. leatherwing beetle(,  Chauliognathus pensylvanicus is a goldenrod pollinator ( FL Wildflower Foundation ).

Native Habitats:

Sandhill, dunes, pine-oak-hickory woods, secondary woods.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The crushed leaves of sweet goldenrod give off a licorice scent that readily identifies this widespread species. A tea can be brewed from its leaves. (Niering)

General Comments:

Citations:

Huegel, Craig, N.  2012.  Native wildflowers and other ground covers for Florida landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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