Family: Asteraceae, Aster view all from this family
Description Small yellow flower heads on outward-arching branches forming a pyramidal cluster atop a grayish, downy stem.
Flowers: Head about 1/8" (3 mm) long.
Leaves: Lanceolate, rough above, hairy below, sometimes toothed; lower ones to 6" (15 cm) long, upper ones smaller.
Height: 2-7' (60-210 cm).
Flower August-November.
Habitat Thickets, roadsides, and clearings.
Range Throughout East, except Newfoundland and far north; also in parts of West.
Discussion Two other similar species with arching flower stalks are Late Goldenrod (S. gigantea), smooth-stemmed, often with whitish bloom, and with flower heads to 1/4" (6 mm) long, and Canada Goldenrod (S. canadensis), with sharply toothed leaves and very small flower heads only 1/8" (3 mm) long.
