Solidago canadensis scabra - Canadian Goldenrod

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Width:	1
Synonyms:	S. altissima. L.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Maine to Ontario, Nebraska, Georgia and Texas.

Solidago canadensis scabra (Canadian Goldenrod) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Canadian Goldenrod will flower in February to March. the seeds ripen from March to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Canadian Goldenrod will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Canadian Goldenrod prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Canadian Goldenrod can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Dry to damp thickets, roadsides and clearings[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

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]. Hybridizes freely with S. canadensis[43]. 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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young leaves and flowering stems - cooked[172]. Seed[22, 46, 61, 105, 161, 183]. It can be used as a thickener in soups[172]. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest or utilize[K]. A tea can be made from the flowers and/or the leaves[172, 183].

• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is antiseptic, haemostatic, salve and styptic[168, 172, 257]. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic[168]. A poultice of the flowers has been used in the treatment of ulcers and burns[257]. A poultice of the moistened, crushed root has been used in the treatment of boils[257].

• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Haemostatic - Controls internal bleeding.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
• Styptic - An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A source of latex, contained in the leaves. A potentially good source of rubber[61]. Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[168].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Latex - A source of rubber.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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