Canada goldenrod

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Canada goldenrod
• Canadian Goldenrod

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Doria canadensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Solidago canadensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is further classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the Asteraceae family and falls under the genus Solidago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. In the British Isles, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species is also established within the borders of Denmark. Its presence extends into the Scandinavian Peninsula, where it is native to Norway. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the northern reaches of Finland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solidago canadensis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environments, though it shows a strong preference for lowland habitats where soil moisture and nutrient availability are relatively consistent. As a highly adaptable species, it often colonizes disturbed sites, meadows, and forest edges, frequently acting as a pioneer species in successional landscapes. In terms of its subterranean symbiotic relationships, this plant does not form mycorrhizal associations, meaning it lacks the specialized fungal partnerships that many other plant species rely on for nutrient uptake. This absence of mycorrhiza suggests a reliance on direct root absorption and a high capacity for resource competition in various soil types within its preferred low-elevation niches.

Habitat :

Lowland

Mycorrhiza :

no

Genetics

The genetics of Solidago canadensis are characterized by a complex genomic structure that reflects its evolutionary history and adaptive capacity. A defining cytogenetic feature of this species is its chromosome number, which is documented as 54. This specific chromosomal count plays a significant role in the plant's reproductive biology and its ability to colonize diverse ecological niches. The genetic makeup of Solidago canadensis often involves varying degrees of polyploidy and hybridization, which contribute to its significant phenotypic plasticity and genetic diversity. Such genomic complexity allows the species to maintain robust evolutionary potential, facilitating its survival across a wide range of environmental conditions and varying selective pressures.

Chromosome number :

54

Life history

The life history of Solidago canadensis is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or snow during unfavorable conditions. Regarding its seasonal foliage patterns, the species exhibits evergreen characteristics in certain environments, maintaining its vegetative presence throughout varying climatic cycles. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and a hemicryptophytic life form enables the species to establish robustly in its habitat and effectively manage seasonal transitions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solidago canadensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2.5 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 1.2375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.2375 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solidago canadensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, meaning it relies on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than capturing prey. It does not function as a nitrogen fixer, necessitating a reliance on available soil nitrates and ammonium. The plant's leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while leaf widths vary between 0.4 cm and 2.2 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 2 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of 9.29 cm². Furthermore, the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 258.67 cm²/g, a metric that reflects its leaf mass per area and its strategy for balancing light interception with resource conservation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

9.29 cm²

Leaf width max:

2.2 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

258.67 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solidago canadensis is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in August and concludes in October. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects with a strong preference for bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While pollination is driven by these biotic agents, self-fertilization is present within the species. The resulting fruit is a dry, indehiscent achene. The seeds produced are notably small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00013512225 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00006 g to a maximum of 0.000271 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.086 mm³. For dispersal, the plant employs an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, placing the primary emphasis on its sexual reproductive cycle.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.000271 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00013512225 g

Seed mass min:

6e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.086 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solidago canadensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Solidago canadensis has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, 3,4-Di-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid.

quercetin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

3,4-Di-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

3,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

3-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

4,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

5-CQA

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CROTONIC ACID

1. Journal of natural products

Germacrene D

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Solidago canadensis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic, Antioxidant.

Antimutagenic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Solidago canadensis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, antioxidant, cancer, plant diseases, salinity.

Antidiabetic

1. Electrophoresis

Antioxidant

1. Electrophoresis

Cancer

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Plant diseases

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Salinity

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Preparations

Solidago canadensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology