Solidago rigida - Stiff Goldenrod

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:	Oligoneuron rigidum.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Ontario to Saskatchewan, south to Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas and Colorado.

Solidago rigida (Stiff Goldenrod) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Stiff Goldenrod will flower in March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Stiff 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
Stiff Goldenrod prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Dry or gravelly open woods, thickets and prairies[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

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]. 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: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The leaves and blossoms are antiseptic, astringent and styptic[4, 168]. A valuable remedy in the treatment of all kinds of haemorrhages[4]. The flowers have been ground into a lotion and used to treat bee stings[213, 257]. An oil obtained from the plant (is this an essential oil?) is diuretic[4]. The root is cathartic and diuretic[257]. A decoction of the root has been used as an enema[257]. An infusion has been used to restore the flow of urine[257].

• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Cathartic - A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Stings - Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
• 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 good quality rubber can be made from a latex that is obtained from the leaves[46, 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

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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