Transformational Gardening

Harger’s Goldenrod (Canada Goldenrod) (Solidago canadensis var. hargeri): Images

Date Location Notes Images
September 2, 2011 Southeastern, New Hampshire In New England, there are only three triple-nerved goldenrods (3 main leaf veins) where the leaf size and shape are nearly the same all of the way up and down the stem.
  • Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
  • Giant Goldenrod (Smooth Goldenrod) (Solidago gigantea)
  • Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima also known as Solidago canadensis var. scabra)
The medicinal tea is anti-inflammatory, anti-yeast and anti-catarrh (makes mucous more liquid). The saponins in the goldenrod are a urinary tract antiseptic. Make tea from dried leaves and flowers. Tall, straight stalks can be used as a hand-drill for making fire.

Giant Goldenrod has a smooth, hairless, glaucous (whitish, waxy coating) stem. Leaves are hairless except for the three main veins on the underside of the leaf. Tall Goldenrod is classified as one of the variations of Canada Goldenrod. Var. canadensis and Var. salebrosa are sparsely hairly on the upper half of the stem and the lower half is mostly hairless. Var. gilvocanescens has leaves that are spreading hairly on the upper and lower surfaces and the leaves are 3.5 to 7 cm long. Var. scabra and Var. hargeri have leaves over 7 cm long, stems are very hairy throughout and upper surface of leaves merely rough to the touch, but not very hairy. Var. scabra has larger and fewer disk flowers than Var. hargeri. Flower rays average 13, leaves are firm and shallowly-toothed or entire (untoothed). Var. hageri has thin leaves that are sharply toothed and sometimes entire.