Kingdom Plantae Family Asteraceae Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Solidago | |
Similar Solidago buckleyi, Solidago latissimifolia, Solidago gattingeri, Solidago plumosa, Solidago radula | ||
Solidago rupestris , the rock goldenrod or riverbank goldenrod, is a North American species of flowering plants in the sunflower family. It is found in the eastern United States, found today in the States of Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. There are historical records of it formerly growing in Indiana and Pennsylvania as well, but these populations now appear to have been extirpated.
Solidago rupestris is a perennial herb up to 150 cm (5 feet) tall, spreading by means of underground rhizomes. Leaves are up to 12 cm (4.8 inches) long, on the stem of the plant rather than clustered around the base. One plant can produce as many as 900 small yellow flower heads in a showy, branching array. The species grows primarily on the banks of rivers.