Kingdom Plantae Family Asteraceae Scientific name Solidago guiradonis | Order Asterales Genus Solidago Rank Species | |
Similar Solidago buckleyi, Solidago gattingeri, Solidago latissimifolia, Solidago plumosa, Solidago spectabilis | ||
Solidago guiradonis is an uncommon species of goldenrod known by the common name Guirado goldenrod. It is native to the Central California Coast Ranges of central California, in San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Fresno Counties. There are also reports of isolated populations in the Sierra Nevada in Plumas and Tulare Counties.
It grows in woodland and grassland habitat in serpentine soils rich in asbestos.
Description
Solidago guiradonis is a perennial herb growing from a woody caudex, sometimes reaching heights well over one meter (40 inches). The leaves are up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long near the base of the plant but shorter farther up. They are linear to lance-shaped and have winged petioles that expand to nearly sheath the stem at the bases. The herbage is mostly hairless.
The inflorescence is a cluster of sometimes as many as 190 small flower heads in a branching, elongated array. Each flower head contains 10-21 yellow disc florets surrounded by up to 8-10 narrow yellow ray florets each 1 or 2 millimeters long.